Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 June 1891 — Factory Girls' Elder Sisters. [ARTICLE]

Factory Girls' Elder Sisters.

A curious sort of benevolent enterprise is that existing in Birmingham. England, under the tlt.e of Girls’ Letter Guild. The aim of those who started the work was to help factory girls in this great manufacturing district by means of letters written to them individually by ladies on various subjects of every-day interest. Each lady is asked to write to her girl at least once a month, and assume toward her the role of an advising and sympathetic elder sister. The guild has existed only eighteen months, but Its membership is already over a thousand, with seventy more girls eagor to join, and no “lady” correspondents to complement them. ,Miss Isabel Ker.ward, the honorable secretary, writes: “I am often asked If these Individual letters are appreciated by the girls. The constant rush of girls who beg for ‘a lady’ is one reply to this, and there is another testimony in the pile of letters of thanks and gratitude that pour in from the girls themselves. ” All contributions are voluntary; neither ladies nor girls are taxed. The working expenses of the guild are borne by the honorary members (ladies and gentlemen), who subs ribe a Small fixed amount per year The Idea might te grafted with advantage upon some of the many working-girls’ so ietios which exist over here. —New York Times.