Page:Women of the West.djvu/249

Rh the pioneer—a heritage, perhaps, from my Mayflower ancestors. Just what primitive conditions I expected to await me, is still vague in my mind. I found a state that was young and undeveloped, it is true, but struggling to attain high ideals—many of which have been realized.

The women of Washington are largely cosmopolitan, as most of them were born and educated in other sections of the country. They are progressive women, interested in a wide range of subjects and always ready to extend a helping hand to those in need. Foremost in their minds is the home, the care and development of their children and the betterment of civic and political conditions. Appreciation for educational advancement is shown by their activity in literary and civic clubs and by their interest in the trend of current events. This is true of all parts of the state, I believe.

My own city, Tacoma, has many gifted women, some occupying important professional positions—others doing creditable creative work. The interest in music and dramatic art is most enthusiastic. Musical organizations and our Drama League do much to stimulate both. We are privileged to hear many of the world's great musicians and lecturers.

While observing with pride the progress of my state in allied fields of endeavor, I consider myself more ably qualified to write upon the subject of painting; and it is here where we particularly realize our limitations. Seattle, with her greater size and wealth, has more to offer. In a young city, the struggle for material existence is too urgent—too absorbing—to allow for much development of the ideal. In the founding of all nations and cities, the necessities have come first, only followed by the refinements when the constructional period was past. Tacoma could be no exception. We have imbibed of the beauties of art from older nations and from other cities; but what of our children, brought up and educated in this new part of our country?

It was because we realized just what the lack of this refining influence might mean to their future, that the women of the Aloha Club, Tacoma, have for nearly twenty years appropriated a generous part of their annual budget to the cause of art appreciation in our schools. The pupils do not know how to study pictures without guidance; therefore, art talks illustrated by reproductions or slides, have always formed a part of the Aloha art exhibits.

The first picture in any of our city schools was given by an Aloha member, and in the beginning, many originals and reproductions were presented to schools by the club. This