Page:The Feminist Movement - Snowden - 1912.djvu/143

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THE FEMINIST MOVEMENT
135

schools and colleges receiving Government grants.

For the inspection of infirmaries, nurseries, maternity wards, and pauper schools, six women have been appointed by the Local Government Board. Sixteen women hold posts as Relieving Officers, and it is believed that more may be appointed at an early date. It is said that the Local Government Board does not favour the appointment of women by Boards of Guardians to the post of Relieving Officer, because the duty includes the painful and disagreeable task of superintending the removal of pauper lunatics to the asylum. Poor Law Authorities have in some cases appointed women as Medical Officers.

The London County Council has appointed women to serve as Inspectors under its Education, Public Health, and Public Control Departments. Under the Education Department there are ten women Inspectors serving as assistants to Divisional and District Inspectors who are, at present, all men. Eight of these women inspect in special subjects, such as needlework and domestic science. Miss Philippa Fawcett holds a unique position under the County Council as Principal Director in the Higher Education Branch of the Education Department. Two women hold posts as Inspectors under the Midwives Act. They must be unmarried or widowed, and