PATTERNS OF WORKERS’ EDUCATION

 

The Y.W.C.A.’s Industrial Secretary realizes that perhaps the environment
was not as receptive to “G” as it was to “F” but she emphasizes personality as
chiefly responsible for their different achievements. She commented further:

From a complete lack of interest in such things as we have been doing this
winter to even the small amount that is, it is such a large step for us that
we have real hopes for the future, especially if we can keep feeding the girls
to Bryn Mawr each summer . . . We need to build up a group of girls who

have such experience as Bryn Mawr can give them, and who will transmit some
of their enthusiasm to the larger group.

Except for the one case which has been cited, observers of the alumnae
in discouraging localities have been sympathetic. They realize that where
the pattern of living is narrow and where former students are scattered geo-
graphically, more effort and patience is needed to achieve a few goals than
is necessary to obtain greater ends in progressive places. Here even member-
ship in some organizations is considered daring.

STUDENTS IN COMMUNITIES WITH CHANGING PATTERNS AND COMPARABLE
TO FLUXTON

Fifty-one alumnae in a number of New England towns, a Southern com-
munity, a Mid-Western and two Eastern cities wrote about their activities. In
these places, not only are new organizations appearing but old ones are
changing their philosophies.

The total number of activities in these localities has decreased from 131
to 101 but the number of responsible positions has increased from 68 held
by the women as School candidates to 90 as alumnae. What seems to have
happened in all types of organizations is that weak members have admitted
failure and have dropped out of groups. Strong members, however, have
strengthened themselves in the face of adversity and have progressed to lead-
ership. Political affiliation has increased; whereas six candidates had reported
they belonged to political groups, 12 as alumnae have indicated this. Only
three candidates had been political leaders; 10 as alumnae are outstanding
participants. In miscellaneous associations leadership has been attained by
10 alumnae; an additional eight, who were especially effective before they
went to the School, have retained their responsible positions, Membership
and leadership in the Y.W.C.A. and the trade unions has remained about the

132