Carrie Chapman Catt (Carrie Lane at the time) retired from teaching after the end of the 1884 school year and married Leo Chapman, publisher and editor of the Mason City Republican newspaper, in February 1885. In the March 5 issue of The Republican, Catt’s name appeared in the masthead as co-editor of the paper with Chapman, and on March 19, the first installment of her new column, “Woman’s World,” was published. The Mason City Public Library has microfilm of every issue of The Republican from 1885 except one, and Catt’s column appears nearly weekly through early November. The Chapmans sold the newspaper in April 1886, and there are no extant copies of the paper from that year.
The modistes of Paris create the fashions of dress and the civilized world makes haste to follow. These authorities, ignorant of hygienic laws and caring only to perpetuate their own business, add new complications every season. So absolutely do they control the manner of dress, that if one woman who sees the evil of their system desires to don more comfortable garments, she is ostracized from society, hooted at in the streets and dubbed a “crank.” The modistes crowd the form into a stiff corset, preventing a natural breathing even when not worn so tight as to cause greater injury; they hang heavy skirts by close bands around the waist, pressing out of position the internal organs; they put thin shoes upon the feet and a tiny bonnet upon the head, which serves as no protection from wind or cold; they will not allow a coat in winter sufficiently warm to keep one comfortable, lest she present a bungling appearance; in fact, they clothe a woman in as uncomfortable and unhygienic a manner as possible. But what is to be done?
A few years ago a number of New York women banded themselves into an organization called the “Reform Dress Society.” It was their object to establish new and comfortable styles of dress, with the expectation that sensible women would follow them, but the public refused to recognize them as authorities and but little was accomplished. The time had not yet come for the change.
In ancient Greece and Rome, the fashion of the dress of women was far simpler than that of men. During the centuries of the Middle Ages, the dress of men was highly fantastic. Indeed in our own Colonial times, there was little difference in the gaity of the dress of men and women. With knee-breeches, high starched ruffs, powered wigs and satin, lace trimmed coats, a man was quite a thoroughly uncomfortable as a woman is to-day.
Then came a time when men of leisure were entirely below par and a demand for laborers, tradesmen and soldiers came with such emphasis, there were few who failed to answer. A great grand America was to be developed and work alone could accomplish the task. Asoused to the needs of the times, men threw off their ballroom costumes and adopted a style, comfortable, convenient and hygienic. It was a fashion adapted to toil and was soon gladly worn by the workingman everywhere.
Of late there has been a similar awakening among women. They have arisen in answer to a universal demand for more laborers. Thousands of them have launched out into new trades and professions. To these business women the inconvenience of the present fashion is apparent, and from them comes a cry for a reform. As yet their demand has been unheeded. The modistes are still the authorities. But is it possible the silly belles of society, with no thought further than their wardrobe, are to establish the forms of dress for intelligent, thinking women to follow? It cannot be. The number of working women is being daily increased, and with every addition their power is strengthened. Soon the right to dictate the dress suitable to their labors will be recognized and the mass of women follow the advice of the pioneer women of New York.
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The Union Signal contains the following: “A woman fashionably attired is ready for nothing but to be looked at, admired perhaps, certainly not to enter with comfort on any healthful amusement or useful work. And here we do not characterize merely those who lead so-called fashionable lives. The great mass of women dress uncomfortably. They are restricted by the multiplicity of belts and bands in the vital functions of respiration and muscular action, and weighed down and trammeled by heavy skirts.
The woman of to-day has a work to do. She is pleading for the right before the law, reaching out the hand of healing, bringing her utmost strength to bear against the giant evil of intemperance, filling positions of power and responsibility. Her dress should be an exponent of her life: useful, sensible, practical; adapted in every particular to her physical needs, yet as beautiful as woman’s artistic sense can make it.”
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Miss Alcott writes to the editor of Women’s work as follows: “I desire to have it plainly understood that I most sincerely believe in the propriety of any woman filling any office, from the president’s chair to the wash-tub, if she is fitted for it, and capable of wisely and faithfully discharging the duties laid upon her. Having been a worker all my life and tried nearly every employment for women, I am the last person to put the obstacle of even a misunderstood word in the hard path of my sisters. I hope more office will be filled with honest, faithful, well-paid women.
Notes About Women
Mrs. Ross H. Thorpe, the author of the popular “Curfew Must Not Ring To-Night,” resides at San Antoio, Tex.
Miss Elizabeth P. Peabody says that the Omahas are the only Indian tribe with citizens’ rights this side of the Rocky Mountains, and that their homes and privileges were obtained for them by Miss Alice Fletcher, who spent two years on the work.
Miss Anna Baker has been appointed city missionary for Salt Lake City by the Women’s Home Missionary Association. Miss Baker has been in the employ of the Association as a teacher in one of the schools under the auspices of the New West Commission.
Mis Florence Maryat is a tall, well-formed, rather masculine woman. She has a deep, strong voice. Her complexion is blonde, her hair dead gold, and her face pleasant and intelligent. She has published forty-three novels in eighteen years. Her lecture, which has been heard in several American cities, is called “Love letters;” this is a satirical description of Englishmen in society.
Miss Scott, the first of the Girton students to take a high mathematical degree at Cambridge, and one of the most distinguished “girl-graduates” of the London University, has just been appointed to the associate professorship of mathematics at the new college for women at Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, which is to be opened for the reception of pupils next September. Miss Scott was for some time lecturer on mathematics at Girton.
Miss Frances F. Fisher, principal of the Cleveland public schools, was for two years the pupil of professor Maria Mitchell at Vassar College, and lived in the observatory during a portion of that time. Some of her observations and calculations were considered of sufficient importance to be published in scientific journals. Afterward she had charge of the astronomical classes as Brook’s school. Since leaving college Miss Fisher has devoted much time to the study of the various branches of evolution and has made herself familiar with the theories and researches of the leading scientists of the age. Quite recently she delivered a learned lecture upon cosmic evolution at Painesville, Ohio.
Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe is seventy years old and is too feeble to appear in society.
When asked concerning a suitable monument for her husband, Mrs. Barrios replied that the most fitting monument which he could have would be a man to carry into effect the plans he had made. The wife shows a considerable of the husband’s spirit.
Tuft’s college has received about $40,000 by the will of Miss Harriet H. Fago, of Marlborough, Mass.
Chapman, Carrie Lane. 1885. “Woman’s World.” Mason City Republican, May 14.
PDF version, courtesy of Mason City Public Library
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