Page 5 - 1930 October - To Dragma

4 To DRAGMA

"The aim of the Girl Reserve Organization is all-embracing—it is
to put into the lives of the girls those experiences that will make them
capable of choosing for themselves right ways of thinking and acting.
I t brings to them an understanding and an appreciation of themselves
and others for they 'learn to do by doing.' To me it is an adventure
in living together with a group of girls who are striving to find better
ways of living, to grow into a realization of their responsibilities as
citizens and their possibilities of development, and to know the mean-
ing of abundant living—'to find and to give the best.' "

"What is the extent of your work in the city?" I asked.
"There are under my supervision ten clubs in the Birmingham schools
and one at the Avondale Mills, with an advisory staff of twenty-six
teachers in the various, schools. The most difficult of all my tasks
is attempting to make myself available at these clubs at the appointed
times. I assure you that keeping in personal touch with over 700
girls is no small order." And Helen spoke with conviction.
"What are your programs in the clubs?" was my next eager ques-
tion.
" I n all the clubs the slogan for the year is 'Gateways,' and under that
heading numerous profitable programs and discussions have been con-
structed such as, 'Gateways to good manners a la Emily Post,' 'Gateways
to new visions,' 'Gateways to world peace' (and some of the solutions
offered on this matter of current importance and divided discussion
might well be considered by our political notables in smoothing out
their difficulties), 'Gateways to the beautiful,' and 'Gateways to friend-
ship.'
"Oh, yes, let me tell you of a new experiment we are undertaking
this year in one high school club." And here Helen waxed more en-
thusiastic, as she is the type of person always seeking improvement in
her work. "We have divided the club into three sub-clubs by segregating
into individual groups the girls of like ages and similar interests."
"And is this experiment proving successful?" I encouraged.
"We find it quite successful particularly for the younger girls who
lose in their own groups the self consciousness and the natural feeling
of inferiority to which they would be subject among the older girls.
They develop initiative that has long been hidden and idle, and they
grow through their own efforts into capable girls."
"Tell me anything else of interest pertaining to your work," I
begged.
" I feel that perhaps we are carrying on our most effective work
with the Avondale Mills girls. This club is comprised of teen-aged
girls who work in the mills from six in the morning to four-thirty in
the afternoon, girls who have little or no opportunity for education
and self-improvement, and whose home surroundings contribute very
inconsiderable encouragement and assistance to their proper development
and growth. We are teaching them to live in the right way by
showing them how to use the abilities they have at their command