GIRLS WHO LEAD

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 277, 12 August 1918, Page 2

GIRLS WHO LEAD

Iler jijlly face smiles at me to-day from tho pn-Hi'S oi several illustrated papers, iviicru olio is depicced aboard a tunic recruiting lor tile Land Ariny.

Ycl this is tho j(irl wno at school was too nervous and sliy to stand up and recite!

Kow she is touring the country, having left for a iew weeks that happy band of land gills in Worcestershire which for two years she has handled with tact and determination.

Her sister, who formerly trembled at the idea of being "'housekeeper" lor a fortnight, is now responsible for the daily catering for 500 munition girls, and is having the happiest time of her life.

These aro two of tho new type tho war has produced—tho Girls who Lead.

Tho envied worker of other days was the girl with !'a decent salary and no responsibility, my dear!" Employers accepted the attitude and paid tho woman worker accordingly.

To-day there is a new phrase, and a new envy attaches to the woman who can say, "Interesting, responsible, well-paid work."

Many of theni can say it, too: As heads of departments nowadays one finds the gilds'who were formerly quite content to work under a. man because he bhouldored tho responsibility. If anything went wrong thcro.was always the comforting reflection, "It's his look-out, not mine!" It was a "sneaky" kind of philosophy at tho best. ■ It crushed tiio girl with ambitions and bred a prejudice against tho woman who dared to. lake the lead.

Tho "sheltering" man went early. Tiio oldex one who took his place has gone also. All tho qualities of leadership that lay dormant in so many girls have eomo to the surface. The need was great and' they rose to it. .But the great surprise has been that that old bugbear Responsibility does not weigh heavily, that it brings instead a new enthusiasm and interest.

Girls formerly content to stand back now flourish all over the country as inspectors, instructors; managers, caterers. They seek responsibility—they welcome it with a new confidence.

Lives of men aro entrusted to-day to girls who would formerly have mistrusted their efforts with a cut finger. In responsible munition posts are others who doubted their powers of trimming a lamp. Hero in Franco'young women administrators, who in other days would certainly have shrunk at the idea of being responsible for tho welfa.ro and efficiency of a body of girls in a foreign land, havo proved a marked success.

Everywhere the girls and women with the magnetic qualities that make foi leadership are coming to the top. When an opportunity presents itself now thty take it with an air that inspires conh' deuce.

They are not afraid to give—and take —suggestions.' They have tho pluck to try new systems, and are willing to overthrow the known method fur a new ono if it proves better.

And—with very few- exceptions—they aro carrying their new positions, their new responsibilities, modestly, easily, helped by a loyal backing from the girls under -them. Theirs is a far-reaching achievement, because, alas! careers, and nothing elso, will have to (ill the lives of so manv women during the earning years. —Bv Hilda M. Love, in tho "Daily Mail."