WOMEN'S OPEN FIELD

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 105, 28 January 1920, Page 4

WOMEN'S OPEN FIELD

Tho present tendency of American girls learning boys' trades, writes Miss A. L. Hughes in Iho "Outlook," bids fair to continue, judging by thefemale enrolment in masculine lines of endeavour at the University-of Washington, in Seattle.

Scorning rouge and tho powder ■ puff, one junior, in • particular, is imbibing knowledge' of work in iron, with the forge: learning the trade of blacksmith, and is tho only female student taking this I'ouijso at the-University. The anvil chorus.nltracts her, .while jazz , strains., hold no lure. Her highest ambition is to 1)0 mistress of a .farm, with chickens, cows, hogs, and all such as contribute to tho "joys" of ranch life. The desire to learn blacksmithing-emanated from her' ambition to be a real farmer, and as such to know ...somewhat about mechanics, so she is giving: her. time to learning how to fashion holts and .bars from rough iron nsVell as to point a -ploughshare. Engineering and surveying, hitherto thought eligible professions for men. hnvo had the bars of sex removed, and girl students are invading the field, with determination ■ to accomplish whatsoever their brothers deem accomplishable in these professions.

The University has already graduated woman, doctors and lawyers, with a female blacksmith nearing the graduation goal, and woman engineers on the high road towards laurels; nor have thin'fair students at this seat.of learning neglected to delve into' the secrets of 'interior dc-' :corating.,. : . . /'

The, University of, 'Washington admits no bar to sex to women's choice of studies. Woman - may study either blacksmithing or homo economics, whichever she wills. But thus far there is no record of men invading the'women's realm of endeavour, though a, revulsion may be imminent, as there is a great dearth of woman domestics; And who will keep the home fires burning while the.woman fans tho blacksmith's anvil sparks with the bellows, women jo on journeys surveying and engineering, and wander far afield in other industries hitherto thought of only by men

Here man may chop the firewood and do other chores about the house necessary for the upkeep of tho family hearth; but will the turning worm of domestic unrest compel him to remain at home to do the cooking, chamber work, laundry, and the other multitudinous household duties that contribute towards keeping the homo fires banning, while mother, wife, daughter, ' or sister goes forth to tackle the men's jobs'and bring homo the bacon? Meanwhile in Seattle, elevators are. being manipulated'by women; some down town mail is 'being! delivered by woman carriers; women 'are-donning overalls and building their own homes;' woman judges preside over some of the ■ courts, woman lawyers are', at the,. bar',- women are.'on IKb. juries; women figure as doctors,' dentists, artists, oculists.; aiul optometrists; in. fact; there seems. to ' bo. no limit to woman's, endeavour, and no longer does anybody marvel at'her vocations. This is woman's day.

-Mrs.. Kolleston, who has just returned from America .-..and.,who for some time past has-devoted.her personal attention to. electrolysis, will in future givo treatments for superfluous.,.hair to a limited number only, and attend personally "to the now hair..and complexion treatments now being introduced in -her rooms, 256 Lambtou Quay.—Advt..'.

Send a Flower .Message for. your friend's birthday. Boxes of beautiful Carnations,- Koses, etc.,, are an acceptable.' gift from Miss Murray, Vice-Kegal PJorist. 3G Willis Street.-Advt.