THE SELECTION OF THE STUDENT BODY

 

garment branches. However, leadership cannot be forecast for women in
either the A.F. of L. or the C.LO., since factors other than opportunity in-
fluence the situation.

As trade unions have developed, groups have been formed to interest the
wives of organized workers. Ladies’ auxiliaries have been instituted and their
members have been trained to participate effectively in workers’ education as
well as in other activities. At a 1937 meeting of representatives from Detroit
and Flint auto auxiliaries, women seemed eager to attend summer schools.
They wanted training in planning educational programs for women and
children.” Although the Bryn Mawr School has accepted an occasional aux-
iliary member, no definite precedent has been established. The 1938 investi-
gators, therefore, recommended women’s auxiliaries as an important recruiting
source.

The average age of students has altered as the Bryn Mawr School has
developed. Women between the ages of 18 and 35 originally were admitted
although preference was shown to candidates over 20 years old. The age
range of 20 to 35 later defined the entrance requirements. In the early years
the largest number of students were between 25 and 29. By 1933 a younger
group began to enter the School. In 1934, one-half of the students were under
25; in 1935 the median was 25; and in 1936 it was 23. In that year the
Director commented on the youthfulness of the women and the faculty recom-
mended that the average age of future students should be 24. In 1937,
although the age level was approximately the same as the year before, they
seemed more mature and stable and some of the best students were the
youngest. However, the desirability of preserving balance between the more
and the less experienced members still was mentioned.” In 1938 the student
body included 36 women between the ages of 19 and 24, 17 between 25 and
29, 10 between 30 and 35, and two over 35. On the whole, the influx of
younger women into the School has reflected their entrance into the trade
union movement. Of women suit, coat, and overall operatives in New York
State in 1930, for example, 38.8 per cent were under 25.*

Statistics of the Southern Summer School, the Wisconsin School for
Workers, the School for Office Workers, and the Pacific Coast School indicate
that their recruiting has been influenced by the same forces which have

* Proceedings of the Convention, 1937.
” Report of the Director of the Summer School, 1937.
™ Pritchard, op. cit., p. 38.

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