What Shall I Do? 339 



disadvantage arises partly from our education, since from child- 

 hood we are taught to be dependent on others; consequently, 

 when thrown on our own resources, we are utterly incompetent 

 to compete with skilled laborers. 



The other great obstacle in our way is public opinion. Xo 

 woman of refinement desires to attract the attention of a com- 

 munity, an honor thrust upon her whenever she engages in any 

 occupation not distinctly recognized as woman's work. 



To those of you who are trying to solve this problem, I would 

 say, first of all, take an account of stock. Examine yourselves 

 as to your abilities, your preparation, your natural bent and in- 

 clinations, but do not make the mistake of supposing that the 

 thing you would like to do, is what you are the best fitted to do. 

 Many a girl feels that she is a genius out of place, that as a nurse, 

 a worker among the poor, a physician, an artist, a sculptor, she 

 would be a success, when she is only, after all, a very ordinary 

 person dissatisfied Avith her present condition. 



There is always one thing that each of us can do better than 

 anything else, if, having found it, we have the courage of our 

 convictions, and will put under foot the foolish pride that would 

 consider any work outside the professions as degrading. 



Let me illustrate: In one of our leading colleges was a girl, a 

 member of an old and wealthy Southern family. Near the close 

 of her sophomore year word came that her father had failed 

 and that she must return home. The question immediately arose 

 among her friends as to what she should do. Teach, of course, 

 was the verdict, considering her abilities, her education and her 

 social standing. " No," said she, " there is just one thing in 

 which I know I shall succeed, and which I can do well, and 

 that is trim hats; and that is what I am going to do." 



She went back home, apprenticed herself to a skilled worker 

 in order to learn the mechanical part of her trade, knowing well 

 that her work to be satisfactory must show the skill of the pro- 

 fessional, and started in business for herself. She announced her 

 opening. People who had known her in her days of prosperity 

 flocked to it out of sympathy and curiosity. But whatever 

 motive led them there, the beauty of the workmanship and the 

 merit of the productions, held them. She devoted herself to 

 her business. She studied her flower gardens for color combi- 

 nations; to her it was not a hat she was designing, but a frame 

 for a picture, and all the knowledge and skill and training she 

 possessed, was brought to bear upon her work. She enlarged 



