Illinois newspaper directory. History of the Illinois press association

iNHsh i\i wsi'api k Dire< roRY and History"First—Mrs. Harriet Becchcr Stowe forming an anti-slavery sentiment sufficientlystrong to overthrow slavery."Second—Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell forming the great humanitarian agency of thesanitary commission."Third—Miss Frances E. Willard crystallizing the moral sentiment of the nationinto a political party based on the two live issues of this generation, and all this duringthe life time of some of the pioneers in woman's work."One does not need to be especially wise to learn that women have adapted themselvesto journalism, and adopted journalism as a profession. In some instances theyhave been forced into it—in others it has been choice; but they have surely developedan adaptation which will make them permanent members of the guild."The world needed them there; there they can be useful to themselves as breadwinners,and to the world in toning down the asperities inherent to the sterner sex.They can aid to a broader philanthropy, to a purer government, to higher aims inindividual and national life."Woman has introduced a conscience into journalism which may be fostered withoutdetriment to the profession. She has purified it from the grossness of the pastwithout loss of brilliancy or power. She has made the newspaper the educator in thehome, and hence the moulder of home character and national intelligence. In her homeshe has lifted journalism from its old time vulgarity and driven out that sort ofpersonality which made the paper a mirror to reflect the piques, vagaries and vanities otits owners, requiring—demanding—a useful educator, something to elevate, purify, andennoble, until this land, where she has her broadest liberty in journalism, leads all othersin the universality of its culture and the broadness of its moral development."But woman needs no eulogy from me. She has proven her willingness and abilityto speak for herself, and it is with great pleasure that I close this imperfect and randompaper to listen to one of the most brilliant of her sex, who will give us the strongestpossible living illustration of the power and fitness of women in journalism."Mary Allen West's Organization and VisionMiss Mary Allen West of the Union Signal, Chicago, also gave an address on"Women in Journalism." Her speech follows:"The Illinois Woman's Press Association grew out of the conviction on our partthat we did not know as much as we might, and did not do such good work that wecould not do any better. To fit us for better work is the primary object of this Association.As our constitution declares, our first hope to attaining this object is byproviding a means of communication between women writers throughout the state.Illinois has many women writers but we know little of each other, or each other's work.Seeing how much good you gentlemen seem to find in your Association, we thoughtwe would follow your example, and see if we could not gain some of your wisdom."We cannot say that we have grown very wise, but we do know more than wedid a year ago. We have gained that knowledge of each other's work that begets interest,have learned to see eye to eye; our horizon has been extended because we now look outof each other's eyes as well as out of our own, and we have learned to love each otherso well that I don't believe one of 'us editors' has said a hateful thing about anothereditor during the year. What stronger proof of our good comradeship can you ask?"From mutual knowledge has grown mutual helpfulness, till it is coming to betrue of us as of the manna-gatherers, she that gathereth much hath nothing over, andshe that gathereth little doth nothing lack, because the stores of each are open to theother's needs.79