1925 EDITION Continuing "Women of 1923" "Women of 1924" IDA CLYDE CLARKE, Editor ISSUED BY WOMEN OF TODAY PRESS ROOM 1712, 215 FOURTH AVENUE MAY -3 1926 ·W84 1925 FOREWORD The record contained in the following pages is encouraging and inspiring. Never before has such a panoramic presentation of women's progress been attempted. Material has been gathered from every available source from every quarter of the globe. And this has been presented in a way that would seem to make it most readable. The editor will welcome criticisms and suggestions, both as to subject matter and arrangement. One fact stands out as the greatest argument for need of such a volume: practically none of the material here presented has appeared in the daily newspapers. In fact, had the compiler depended on the daily newspapers for information concerning the progress of women, this book would not have been possible. Even great international meetings of women are given scant attention by the newspapers. If disagreements or dissentions arise, if sensations can be made, these are elaborately reported and conspicuously displayed. But the things of importance to women are almost entirely ignored, certainly so far as the national and international press services are concerned. The Literary Digest has set for itself the task of digesting for average and presumably busy people the news of the day that is of most interest and value. Up to the time this book is ready for the press (August 1925) the Literary Digest had appeared for thirty-five consecutive weeks in the current year. Material of world wide interest has been spread upon some two thousand pages. Hundreds of different topics have been thought of such general interest and value as to warrant attention. Several hundred "Current Events" have been culled from the thousands of events happening on about 234 consecutive days. Never in the history of human progress have so many events of transcending importance occurred in the realm of feminine endeavor. Never in a single year have so many national and international meetings of women been held in so many parts of the world. And yet through all of the thirty-five issues-through all of the two thousand pages-there are not more than twenty stories of women or of women's interest. (including theatrical). Future generations, if confined to the files of the Literary Digest for a history of the times in which we live, would not be led to believe that women had had any serious or important part in the world's progress or that she had even moved forward on her own pathway. Of the several hundred "Current Events" listed day by day only ten make any mention of women and in several cases women divide their claim to attention with men. "Ma" Ferguson got a line or two when she pardons "Pa" Ferguson. And Alice and little Paulina Longworth share their three lines with "Representative Nicholas" when Paulina arrives. Three of our ten current events relate to the girls who attempted to swim the English channel. Martha Berry is mentioned for having received the Roosevelt medal and Ellen Terry when King George decorates her. "Ma" Ferguson also registered with the editor of the Literary Digest when she was sworn in as governor and so did Mrs. Kahn when she was elected to Congress in California. The remaning 390 "Current Events" selected as most important are devoted to the doings of men. Of the many really significant and far-reaching national and international meetings of women that have been held only one gets even a brief mention- "The Conference on the Cause and Cure of War." The mental attitude of the editors of this journal toward woman and the things she is doing is clearly indicated in the captions used on the stories that touch women or her interests. "Women Who Help Boss Us” announces the only story of any length that is really representative of women's progress, though Margaret Sanger and Judge Kathryn Sellers are more briefly presented. Other headlines include "Emma Goldman in her Red Days," "Sentenced Reds and Rebels of Yesterday" "Sweet Marie Ganz"-"Advocate of violence who led a howling mob down Broadway bent on assassination;" "Ada Lewis; Character Actress" the first "Tough Girl" who is "past mistress of slang;" "The Bowery Has A Woman Boss;" "A Lady on a Dude Ranch;" and "The Hopeless Wail Against the New Women" which closes with the dignified words, "Well, the battle's over boys, We're licked." "Athletics For Girls" is deftly handled by a man, but none of the splendid things are mentioned that women doctors like Dr. Alsop of Barnard have been saying for girls. Space is wasted on such antiquated topics as "Should Wives Take Jobs" and "Can A Woman Drive a Car." In this connection the writer feels it but just to say that in at least three magazines, other than the women's magazines, women are treated as human beings and are given a dignified hearing and just consideration at the hands of the editors. These are Current History, The Bookman and, youngest and lustiest of all, Time. Current History has published a number of excellent articles of real value not only to women but to all who are interested in the progress of civilization. John Farrar, as editor of The Bookman has always been most considerate of the viewpoint of women and has never discriminated against them. Time, edited by the younger generation—and the younger the editors the more open-minded they appear to be-not only gives a special department to news of women but selects the items with care, intelligence and understanding. These three magazines the editor cordially commends to women readers. In England the various organizations of women have been interested in, and have recognized the value of, an annual record of the achievements of women. They have jointly financed and continuously aided in the compilation, publication and printing of the English Women's Year Book—a volume of which we may well feel proud. The editor of this book had no such support. She has been obliged to bear the entire burden alone. It is because of this that she feels justified in asking for gentleness on the part of those who may judge her work. The task has been a tremendous one. She believes that the second edition was an improvement on the first and that this, the third annual edition is better than the second. She hopes, with the constructive criticism of her friends, to make the book progressively better. Cordial thanks are due to the Woman Citizen, Equal Rights, The News Bulletin of the Bureau of Vocational Information, to various official organs and special publications of the United States; to The Woman Leader, Time and Tide, The Vote, The International Suffrage News, published in England; and to various other foreign journals published by women in the interest of women's organizations. Free use has been made of the files of these periodicals, without which this review of the work of women would not have been possible. The editor wishes also to express her appreciation of the cordial and sympathetic co-operation of those who worked with her in compiling and editing this book. During the hot August days, when many were enjoying their vacations, Elizabeth Levine worked steadily and with painstaking care on the tedious statistical sections of the book. Mrs. Sheridan left her summer retreat on the coast of Maine and came when she was needed. It was the selfless interest, the tireless efforts of these women that has made the preparation of the book a pleasure. IDA CLYDE CLARKE. New York City, October, 1925. |