Page:The Girl Who Earns Her Own Living (1909).djvu/214

 something to do to-morrow or next day which will bring in immediate returns. This chapter on philanthropy as a profession is written especially for the girl of education who has time and money to specialize for social service work. To this explanation I want to add something more, the statement that not every woman, however ambitious, is suited to social service work.

She must have reasonably good health—at least no organic trouble. I use the word "reasonably" advisedly, for often the girl who is breaking down under the routine of office work or confinement of desk, counter or schoolroom, practically renews her youth and regains her strength in social work, which generally includes much outdoor life.

She must have tact. She will need this in securing funds from the rich, co-operation from the influential, and results from the poor to whom she dispenses charity.

She must be open-minded enough to suspend judgment in a case until she has learned every side of it, and yet she must be resourceful enough to act on her own responsibility when emergency demands. She must not be swayed by personalities—judging the need, not the individual—and she must not expect gratitude.

She must be willing to start for a mere pittance and prove her worth to those above her in authority.