Page:Women of Ohio; a record of their achievements in the history of the state (Vol. I).djvu/14

 Newspaper women, like newspaper men, deal with history in the making. They claim no gift of prophecy. They do not preach and they are professionally nonpartisan.

Their job is to tell their tidings—new, unusual, important or merely amusing—as accurately and interestingly as possible.

But to tell an accurate and interesting story is impossible without the ability to appraise and to interpret it. This is perhaps truer today than ever in the whole history of journalism.

Ours is the era of evaluation. Today is the day of the human measuring stick. We are surveying and assessing human activities, purposes, plans and achievements more definitely and more frankly today than ever before. It is the day of awareness of our all too human weaknesses, of keen research into the motivation of mankind.

For this reason it is hoped that the history “Women of Ohio” may prove a contribution of more than passing value. The state of Ohio presents, geographically, economically, politically and culturally, an excellent field for sampling what might be regarded as characteristic achievements of the women of all our states.

The OHIO NEWSPAPER WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION is recognized as the most efficient and effective statewide organization of women journalists in the country.

Who knows more about the noteworthy women of her community, past and present, than the experienced newspaper woman? Nobody.

To members of this Association was delegated the task of listing the women of their communities who, whether still comparatively unknown or internationally famous, have furthered human welfare and facilitated progress in their state and in the world at large.

The life of every woman is an inseparable part of the life of her time and place. In every instance, her activities and her influence have made some imprint, for good or evil, on her fellow human beings. The sum of these imprints is the sum total of women’s part in the real history of the era recorded.

This is, of course, equally true of men. It is also true that men have had major place in virtually all existing records that may be classed as histories.

Perhaps it is time to ascertain, as realistically as possible, through today’s evaluation tests rather than through the achievement standards of tradition, the part that women have played and are playing in the life of a characteristically American community.

With this opinion and with this feeling I wish to express deep appreciation of the vote of confidence on the part of my fellow workers which caused me to be chosen as editor of this book.

It was certainly no easy task. But it was surely an inspiring one.

Ruth Neely.