Women's organizations in the United States: Their development and present status

At this time when the American press abounds in descriptions of the activities of women's organizations a study of their development and present status is very opportune. This is the report of such a study pursued for the purpose of ascertaining in the light of their historical development to what extent and in what manner they are participating in national life. A study of sixty national problems in which women's organizations have been interested furnishes evidence tending to indicate that national problems are composite in their nature. American women have organized for constructive work, and they have accomplished much. Even though we cannot measure their achievements with mathematical precision, it is certain that without their well organized efforts America would not be so good a country as it is to live in. Suffrage is universal; the Federal Constitution prohibits the traffic of intoxicating liquor; health movements are nation wide; education has been raised to a high plane; resident aliens are taught how to become good citizens; patriotism demands a high ideal; there are in the United States better homes, better business conditions, better farm opportunities, better commercial methods, a saner religion, a more widely appreciated literature ; the good things of life are more abundant and more accessible than they were fifty years ago. Every purposeful activity on the part of an individual exerts a positive influence in return upon the actor. This has been true of the women composing the organizations which have been the subjects of this study. Organized activities whether motivated by self-interested or disinterested impulses have reacted upon the actors themselves. The women who have been responsible for these purposeful activities have shared in the returns from the invested efforts. As their sphere of activity has been increased, their horizon has been broadened, their responsibilities extended, and their sympathies deepened. In accepting responsibility for service they have grown in strength, they have developed leadership, they have attained cooperative efficiency. Some of them may restrict their activity within narrow bounds, some may err in judgment as to the ills of humanity and the most effective methods of procedure in their cure, but taken as a whole they are conscious of their power, alive to the needs of society, forward looking, and unafraid.