Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-01-28
BY RUTH DEAN


woman worker seeking a job,
Mrs. Alice K. Leopold, assist
ant to the Secretary of Labor
Tor Women's Affairs, declared
on Saturday.
mrs. Leopold was one Of the
principal speakers at q Learn
to-Earn" Opportunities Forum
jointly sponsored by the Labor
Department and four women's
service clubs Of the District
at the YWCA.
At the same time, the audi
ence Of more than $50 women
in the over-45 age bracket for
whom the forum was especially
planned, heard a panel Of
employers give them some
straight advice on job seeking.
Contributing Factors
The gist of it was that the
older woman has just as much
Of a crack at good job oppor-
tunities as the younger woman
If she knows what she wants,
gets the necessary training or
retraining (if she's worked be-
fore), makes no apologies for
her age Otis confidence that
impresses prospective employ
ers) and is proud of the ex-
perience she can bring to the
job.
Furthermore, she must have
physical stamina, a neat ap-
pearance. a pleasant DISPOSE
ton and adaptability.
Mrs. Leopold declared that
the employment of the mature
woman worker Is a problem
that has become the major
interest and concern of our
Nation" particularly in view
of our expanding economy and
shortage Of skills and knowl-
edge.
Pointing out that eight mil
lion women in the Nations
labor force are IS years and
over, Mrs. Leopold revealed
that a new Labor Department
report. just released yesterday.
shows that women will account
for half of the 10 million in
crease in jobholders in 1865,
with the greatest increase
showing in the IS years and
over age groups.
Varied Panel
Mrs. Mary S. Resi- Of the
Office Of Education, Depart
ment of Health. Education and
Welfare, was moderator of the
employers panel.
Participants included Mr..
Richard w. Brown, assistant
wee president. Riggs National
Bank; Mrs. Virginia H. Con-
way, educational director,
Washington Restaurant AS
ISOLATION: DR.. Irmagene Hollo-
way, chairman, Small Business
Clinic Of the Business and Pro-
fessional Women's Club of the
District; Mrs. Katherine
Knauff, director of nursing,
Garfield Memorial Hospital;
Mr.. Harold LEIGH. associate di-
rector, Departmental Opera
ton, US. Civil Service; Mrs.
Ruth Payne, supervisor, wom-
ems alterations, Woodward &
Lothrop; Mrs. Elizabeth Per-
kins, personnel director, Hotel
Statler, and Miss Dove Pitzer,
personnel director, Sears Roe
buck and Company.
In an overall view of the
job situation here. Mr.. Fred z.
Hetzel Of the United States
Employment Service for the
District, revealed-to the sur
prise Of all-the mature worker
sis and win continue to be the
most important part of the
working force" in this area.
OF the $50, 900 workers totally
employed, $40. 900 are women,
and Of these $4,000 are over
As years old, Mr.. Hetzel pointed
out.
Forum High Point
For q good many Of those
attending the forum, the high
point was the success stories"
told BY a panel Of mature
women workers who have made
job opportunities a reality.
Mrs. Mary U. Cleverly, a
practical nurse in the geratrics
ward at st. Elizabeth's Hos
pital. said she entered the job
field for the first time when
she was widowed after 81 years
Of marriage. Mrs. Margaret
McCracken, a home seamstress
said she went into business TO,
herself because she wanted
additional money and knew
she could sew. Mrs. Georgiana
McNaughton. assistant super
intendent at the Presbyterian
Home. took a course in execu-
tive housekeeping at the Han