Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1957-08-22

advice, whenever her father was
away from home.
I. Her exceptional talent in pub
lie speaking appeared early, too.
In a high school debate on the
now old fashioned topic of Men
Have Done More For Civilization
than Women" she was assigned
the difficult negative point to
make.
Dredging UP every woman
writer's name she could find, she
presented the list in long scroll
which she tossed with drama
tic flourish onto the floor of the
auditorium.
1t was in this auditorium in
Easter High School to which she
committed daily, that Stella's
most memorable experiences of
her education occurred.
In some she took an active
part such as her role as Mrs. NAL
aprop in Sheridan's Rivals. In
others, she received inspiration
from leading ministers and educa-
tors.
For this reason, Mrs. Werner
feels strongly about the lack of
such experiences in the county
schools. Gymnasiums and all-pur-
pose rooms cut into classrooms
do not fill this need of the well
rounded education.
College Career Split
Stella's college career was split
into two by the death of her faith
er in her junior year at Goucher,
where she was majoring in social
sciences and education.
Besides his work in the state
legislature, Mr. Biddison had serv
ed as judge of the appeals tax
court and had been active in pro-
noting rural banks and building
associations in the suburbs of
Baltimore.
His sudden death at age 48 was
a major blow to his wife and five
children. Although compelled to
finish her education, Stella felt
that she had to help her family
by going to work.
Her first job was supervisor of
a Baltimore playground which
she won by virtue of her height
rather than her experience. In
her sepiof year, she worked as a
"stringer" for the Baltimore Sun
at five cents line with the "big"
money in photographs.
Her urge to make more money
at this time led to her most en-
barrassing moment. An assign
ment to track down a rumor
about the Man Haters at Goucher
came to nothing so she sent in
stead a picture of dignified
group of student representatives
to Annapolis.
That she went ahead and grad
uated after the dignified picture
appeared in the Sun as a group
of the Man Haters shows Mrs.
Werner's ability to take it.
Ran For Congress
Translated into her present car
eer, this ability shows in her
view of her lost battle for United
States Congresswoman in 1852 as
one of her most rewarding and
broadening experiences.
Narrowly escaping a teaching
career, Stella took a six months
executive training course for col
lege graduates at Hutzler Broth
ers, one of Baltimore's best de-
partment stores. In the next five
years she rapidly worked her
way up to personnel manager.
Her interest in people led her in
this direction rather than to the
higher paid positions of buying.
During this period first cou-
sin (she has more of these in
Maryland than she can remem-
ber) introduced her to the young
engineer John Werner, who was
already committing to a govern
ment job in Washington.
A year after their marriage
they bought the house in Chevy
Chase after overcoming strong
temptation to spend the down
payment on a trip to Europe to
watch her brother play on the
John Hopkins Lacrosse team.
; This was wise as young Stella
arrived shortly after that to be
followed in a few years by Mary
and Mrs. John Werner settled
down in the role of housewife
and mother until her girls reach
ed school age.
Her second interest, her church,
of course was maintained during
} this period and her activities
were begun at the Bethesda Meth
odist Church which were to lead
to her present high position as
lay delegate to the Baltimore an
nual Convention and her election
in 1913 and again in SO as the
only woman delegate to the Cen
} eral Conference held every four
; years to make the laws and set
the policy Of the Church.