Evening star., 1952-07-25
Soroptimists Hear
Women Challenged
To Seek High Posts

More women in higher policy
posts Of business and government
was advocated today before the
American Federation of Soropti-
mist Clubs.
This plea was made at the or
ganiZation'S 18th biennial conven-
ton at the Hotel Statler by Dame
Caroline HaSlett Of London, Eng
land. She is president of the In
ternational Federation of Business
and Professional Women; an elec-
trical engineer and a Dame Com
mander of the Order of the British
Empire.
Dame HasIett told the conven-
ton:
"You women of North America
are the leaders of the future.
What you do and how you act
and how you think will affect the
peace Of the world. You have
great responsibility, not only in
national affairs, but in world af-
fairs today"
Women Must be Trained.
She said she desires to see
women in big policy-making posts
only If they are trained and suit
able for such jobs. She cited the
Importance of training among
business and professional women,
said they have proven their ability
to be doctors, lawyers, engineers.
There are many doors that are
not yet open to women, she as
serted.
Dame HaSlett issued a challenge
to American women to get into
the top leadership jobs. Women
must interest themselves more in
economic. as well as political,
problems, she declared.
The federation, in a runoff elec-
ton. chose as its secretary Miss
Frances H. S. Parker of Hartford,
Conn. She is now in Denmark,
preparing for the international
convention of the Soroptimists,
August 10 to Is. ~
200 From U. S. to Attend.
About 125 Of the women attend
ing the Hotel Statler convention
will go on to the Copenhagen
meeting. officials said. About 200
Americans will attend.
The three official United States
delegates to the Copenhagen gath
ering are: The federation'S new
president, Mrs. Elsie M. Fenton of
Des MoineS. Iowa: the retiring
president, Miss L. Grace Nichols
of Toronto, Canada, and the i'm
mediate past president, Mrs. Ger
trude Huitt of East st. Louis, Ill.
The federation this morning
adopted resolutions encouraging
qualified women to be candidates
for government Office. The con-
vention urged appointment of
qualified women to policy making
positions at all levels Of govern
ment.
A study of mature and older
women's groups and services for
them was made a project Of the
federation for the next two years.
A special committee was provided
and the federation agreed to spon-
sor a fund raising campaign, if
deemed advisable, for research in
this field. It also urged support
for the civil defense program on
national, provincial, State and
local levels.
The convention will close to-
night with installation of officers
elected at yesterdays session.
Other Officers Elected.
Other officers chosen were Mrs.
Emily N. Ziegler. San Diego, Calf :.
second vice president, and Mrs.
Ella w. Guitteau, Akron, Ohio,
treasurer. The Washington club
will be host at reception to-
night honoring the new officers.
Miss Frieda Miller, director Of
the Women's Bureau, Labor De-
partment. told the convention yes
terday afternoon that additional
women will likely be employed in
Americas economy. She said
organizations such as the fedora
ton must set their sights high
and fight for equal pay for women.
She said the women's organiza-
tionS must aid women in obtaining
adequate advancement, opportu-
mites and recognition in their
work.