MODERNIZING AMERICA, 1889-1920 Xenophobia and Racism Resource: Black Life in the Urban North Fannie Barrier Williams Lauds Chicago Women “Fannie Barrier Williams Lauds Chicago Women,” Chicago Defender, October 10, 1914. © Women and the American Story 2021 Page 1 of 13 MODERNIZING AMERICA, 1889-1920 Xenophobia and Racism Document Text FANNIE BARRIER WILLIAMS LAUDS CHICAGO WOMEN Noted Writer Says on the Streets, In Public Assemblies and In Every Day Life They Seem Prosperous and Sufficient. HOME LIFE IMPROVED. What is the status and general improvement of the Colored women of Chicago? Anything like statistics is out of the question. Whatever the general improvement of the condition of women in the city, it is shared alike by all women who are susceptible to progress. To see Colored women on the streets, in public assemblies and in the everyday walks of life they seem altogether prosperous and sufficient. If they feel that sting of race prejudice they seem to be confident of their own worth and hopeful for better conditions. One important evidence of progress is the enlargement and improvement of the home life of the Negro people. Ten or fifteen years ago they lived in districts of the city bordering on what may be called the “slums.” Vices of all kinds menaced the morals and health conditions of their families. But it is now easy to discern a great improvement in this respect. Better economic conditions have enabled them to purchase and occupy residences on some of the finest avenues and boulevards of the city. Fifty School Teachers It scarcely need be stated that in reference to employment in the trades, shops and stores Colored women are the least favored of any class of women in the city, yet it is impossible for them to be idle and respected. While only a few colored women are fortunate enough to gain positions in what are considered the higher callings, they are nevertheless industrious and increasingly willing to do whatever their hands find in order to earn a respectable living. About fifty Colored women have won positions as teachers in our mixed public schools. There is also a surprising number of young women holding good positions as clerks and stenographers. One young woman through civil service examination secured an important position with the board of education in Chicago and is now private secretary to the assistant superintendent of schools. © Women and the American Story 2021 Page 2 of 13 MODERNIZING AMERICA, 1889-1920 Xenophobia and Racism Young Colored women may also be found acting as assistants in dental offices, as court stenographers, as demonstrators of special goods in large department stores, as meat inspectors in stockyards, a few in canning and hair factories, a few as clerks, and scores of them earn a comfortable living as manicurists, chiropodists and hair culturists in private families. Many in Business. In addition to these there are a number of Colored women who have their own millinery establishments, beauty shops and dressmaking and costuming parlors that are elegantly appointed and up to date in every detail. There is also an increasing number of professional nurses, several of them holding positions as nurses in the public schools and members of the Visiting Nurses’ Association. There are several Colored women connected with the juvenile court, acting as probation officers, and one adult probation officer. There are half a dozen Colored women physicians, three dentists and one practicing attorney. Eight or ten young Colored women are employed in the public library. There is a large number of music teachers, both vocal and instrumental. As a further evidence of progress young Colored women are eagerly crowding the night schools of the city in order to equip themselves for business positions. Praise for Plain Women. A class of women that cannot be ignored in this story of the life of the Colored women of Chicago is the women who work with their hands in the humbler walks of life, as cooks, housecleaners, laundresses, caretakers and domestics. One of the most interesting sights in our public streets in the early morning hours is the large army of Colored women going in all directions to their day’s work. These women deserve great credit for their eager willingness to aid their husbands in helping to provide a living for themselves and their families. Another phase of the life of these Colored women is their passion for organization. There are clubs for the study of civics, social clubs to promote refinement of life, clubs for the care and protection of dependent children, religious organizations in the interest of churches, and a number of social settlements and secret societies. © Women and the American Story 2021 Page 3 of 13 MODERNIZING AMERICA, 1889-1920 Xenophobia and Racism The most important understanding among Colored women is the establishment of the Phyllis Wheatley Home. It was organized and incorporated some years ago for the purpose of giving shelter and protection to the young Colored women who wander into Chicago unacquainted with the snares and pitfalls of a great city. The home is a comfortable brick building, simply furnished, and offers a home for young women until they have secured employment and one to which they can appeal and find a welcome at any time. Mrs. L. A. Davis is the founder and promoter of this enterprise and is president of a progressive club of Colored women who look after and support this noble work. The Right to Vote. A new and important responsibility has come to Chicago women in the franchise. It is believed that this power granted to the women of the state of Illinois is going to lift Colored women to new importance as citizens. They appreciate what it means and are eagerly preparing themselves to do their whole duty. They believe that they now have an effective weapon within which to combat prejudice and discrimination of all kinds. There need be no anxiety as to the conduct of these newly made Colored citizens. They have had a large and varied experience in organizations, and we expect to see in them an exhibition of the best there is in the Colored race. This splendid extension of the fourteenth and fifteenth amendments will make many things possible and open many avenues of progress that have heretofore been closed to Colored women. It is the hope of the leaders of the race that these new citizens will cultivate whatever is best in heart and mind that will enable them to meet the common tasks of life as well as the higher responsibility with confidence and hope. “Fannie Barrier Williams Lauds Chicago Women,” Chicago Defender, October 10, 1914. Document Text Summary FANNIE BARRIER WILLIAMS LAUDS FANNIE BARRIER WILLIAMS LAUDS CHICAGO WOMEN CHICAGO WOMEN © Women and the American Story 2021 Page 4 of 13 MODERNIZING AMERICA, 1889-1920 Xenophobia and Racism Noted Writer Says on the Streets, In Public Assemblies and In Every Day Life They Seem Prosperous and Sufficient. HOME LIFE IMPROVED. What is the status and general improvement of the Colored women of Chicago? Anything like statistics is out Black women in Chicago are prospering of the question. Whatever the general at home and in public. improvement of the condition of women in the city, it is shared alike by all women who are susceptible to progress. To see Colored women on the streets, in public assemblies and in the everyday walks of life they seem altogether prosperous and sufficient. If they feel that sting of race prejudice they seem to be confident of their own worth and hopeful for better conditions. If Black women in Chicago face racism, One important evidence of progress is they do not allow it to affect them. the enlargement and improvement of the home life of the Negro people. Ten or fifteen years ago they lived in districts of the city bordering on what may be called the “slums.” Vices of all In the last ten to fifteen years, living kinds menaced the morals and health conditions for Black residents have conditions of their families. But it is now improved from dangerous and easy to discern a great improvement in unhealthy slums to homes on well-kept this respect. Better economic conditions streets. have enabled them to purchase and occupy residences on some of the finest avenues and boulevards of the city. Fifty School Teachers It scarcely need be stated that in Most places of employment consider reference to employment in the trades, Black women to be the least desirable shops and stores Colored women are type of employee, but if Black women the least favored of any class of women do not work they are looked down upon. in the city, yet it is impossible for them to be idle and respected. © Women and the American Story 2021 Page 5 of 13 MODERNIZING AMERICA, 1889-1920 Xenophobia and Racism While only a few colored women are fortunate enough to gain positions in what are considered the higher callings, Black women work hard in whatever job they are nevertheless industrious and they can obtain. increasingly willing to do whatever their hands find in order to earn a respectable living. About fifty Colored women have won positions as teachers in our mixed public schools. There is also a surprising number of young women holding good Fifty Black women work as teachers in positions as clerks and stenographers. mixed-race schools. Other Black women One young woman through civil service work as clerks, stenographers, and examination secured an important office workers. position with the board of education in Chicago and is now private secretary to the assistant superintendent of schools.