The Fargo Forum And Daily Republican

Y.W.C.A. FORMATIVE VS. REFORMATIVE

Believing that in proportion as the problems of adolescent girls are solved the problems of later life are diminished, the association specially emphasizes in cities, towns and country; in universities, colleges and high schools, activities naturally adaptable to attract and hold the interest of young girls in the formative period of life.

The 116 Young Women's Christian associations in the north central field, which covers the states of Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Nebraska, associate young women and girls of various types and nationalities and races. Young women in cities and towns, in business life, in industry and in home life; young women in the country and from the country; young women students in colleges, in universities, in normal schools and in Indian schools; girls in high schools, in business colleges, in department stores, in offices and in factories.

The members of these various associations of the north central field number 36,000. The city association provides travelers' aid secretaries for the protection and assistance of girls and women traveling alone. Also provides administration buildings, rest and luncheon rooms, association residences, employment bureaus, certified boarding directories, social centers, recreation, gymnasiums, bible and mission classes, clubs, vocational guidance classes, health talks, English for foreign speaking girls, religious meetings.

The country associations going to the girls in small towns and country give the opportunity for self-development and self-expression, the chance to work and play with other girls, higher social standards, spiritual growth and christian ideals, a community consciousness and contact with a world-wide organization... These girls give back to their communities, trained leadership, improved economic conditions for women and co-operation.

There are 21,000,000 girls and women

It is the policy of the national board to place field country secretaries in the different sections of the country and the rapid organization of counties is contingent upon the condition being fulfilled.

Last summer the Young Women's Christian association with the help of the Presbyterian board took a survey of the conditions and lives of the country girls in certain agricultural counties. Very few girls had any definite idea of the amount they had spent for various things during the past year. The results of this investigation proved very conclusively that country girls quite as much as others need the help offered by the thrift and efficiency commission. Country girls need to co-operate in finding practical ways of earning money in the country and not plan on rushing to the cities. They need to know how to spend wisely from the money they have earned, and from the money which comes from the products of the farm and which they use in the home.

A farmer once said, 'I can't see the sense of teaching boys to raise more corn to the acre and better stock if the girls don't use that extra money to make better homes. And I can't see how they can do this unless we train them for it.'

Henry Israel, county work secretary for the international committee of Young Men's Christian associations has said that the christian associations can regard themselves as one of the co-ordinating agencies, on whose platform every element in the community can unite on almost any betterment enterprise in the interest of economy, co-operation, efficiency, harmony and good will in community life.