Page:Women of distinction.djvu/386

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WOMEN OF DISTINCTION.

ment is perhaps nowhere more forcibly illustrated than in the various departments of the educational field, where the efforts of women have not only changed the entire atmosphere of the school-room, but have also produced many other ch anodes in the right direction. "Large bodies move slowly," but one by one the States are falling in line and are employing women as teachers holding important positions, as directors, supervisors, superintendents, etc.

Woman is said to be especially strong in the details of an art. Teaching is a series of details out of which we finally develop a science—an art. This may in part explain the fact that woman is in some respects a greater success in the school-room than man, where, as in the home, she seems "to the manner born," and develops rare executive ability. Is it not possible also that it is easier for women as a class to "become as little children"? without which qualification it is difficult to enter the "kingdom of Heaven"—the hearts of the little ones.

The elements which enter into the composition of true womanhood are not restricted, and when we point with pardonable pride to the achievements of our race in comparatively few years we also feel that the noble women of the race have done their full share of this magnificent work.

As teachers they have shown that spirit of hardy endurance, combined with patient self-sacrifice, from which springs heroic deeds; and by it they have helped to lay the foundations of a harmonious race development