HONOUR FOR WOMAN JOURNALIST.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1663, 1 February 1913, Page 11

HONOUR FOR WOMAN JOURNALIST.

Tho Institute of Journalists has always been-open equally to journalists of both, sexes, says the "Queen." Women have long been members of this important professional body, and some few among tnern havo been Fellows. Lately, however, and more particularly in the London district (where, naturally, the'.larger number of women journalists find employment), women have come forward to promote the pencral usefulness of tho society by taking a more active practical part in its oommittco business. Mrs. Carruthers, who has now been returned unopposed as the first woman chairman of tho London district, has been, ono of tho most energotic of the institute's helpers, and she is, wo'believe, not only'the first chairman of the Linden, but of any of the Institute District Committees.- ■ . >

Mrs. Carruthers (Miss Agnes L. Welch) was born in 1872, and has been engaged in journalism in London for eignteen yoa'rs. She joined the institute in 1898, and wa9 oiected a Fellow of that body in 1901. . In 1911 she found herself the only . woman on the council, and' she was appointed treasurer of the London district —again the first , woman to hold that office—at the beginning of the current year. For the past. thirteen years: Mrs- Carruthers has been London correspondent of the ."Grimsby News," and she is editor of Christian Novels" and "Christian Novels Library," two popular Home weekly publications. Her work also for some timo included tho duties of art critic to tho "Court Circular/' and she contributed on various occasions to many newspapers,including the "Pall Mall Gazette," "Daily Express," etc.- Several works of fiction wrxten under her maiden namo must alsobo..added to a considerable literary-out-put. Mrs. Carruthers was married in 1899, and has one son. : Sho is one of the numerous women workers on the. press who owes her s'ucccss entirely to her own talents and industry, for. she. came to London without introductions or. any backing of influential friends, and simply worked her way up in the profession.. Moreover, as will be 6een, she found time •to do a great deal ,of voluntary work for

the institute, and through it for .her professional, colleagues of both' sexes. .

We see with satisfaction' that the recent nominations of officers^and delegates for Uha. London district "have resulted, furthermore, in the' unopposed return of Mrs. Carruthers and ; of Miss Patterson (to, whose chairmanship the 1 Women's Auxiliary Committee owes much of. its success), as representatives on the council, and,of Miss. T< Bowser and Miss, O'Reilly as members, of - the. committer.; Tho spirit ol; professional ■: .comradeship between •■merit- and women of; tho London press: is fully{ reflected;.-inj the-,, of the London district ■andiirilthe-jnt'oMst:.' ing meetings,' lectures, and social' gatherings which jhavo -been held ' during- the ■' year.., Wo.may, add that 'Mrs.',Carruthers is succeeded in-tho office'of' treasurer, by Mr. A. J. Mundella, also a staunch friend of the institute, and that tho district's lion, secretary is, Mr. Samuel Ji Sowell. - .