A short extract from the Commissioner’s report of 1899 will give an idea of the tabulated work for women:
The barriers to woman’s higher education seem effectually removed, and to-day eight-tenths of the colleges, universities, and professional schools of the United States are open to women students. As is stated by ex-President Alice Freeman Palmer, of Wellesley College, “30,000 girls have graduated from colleges, while 40,000 more are preparing to graduate.” The obtaining of a collegiate education gives the women more ambition to enter a profession, or, if they decide to marry, it is stated that—
The advanced education they have received has added to their natural endowments wisdom, strength, patience, balance, and self-control ... and in addition to a wise discharge of their domestic duties, their homes have become centers of scientific or literary study or of philanthropy in the communities where they live.
It is stated that the advancement of women in professional life is less rapid than in literature. The training of women for medical practise was long opposed by medical schools and men physicians. Equally tedious was the effort to obtain legal instruction and admission to the legal profession, and even to-day the admission to theological schools and the ministry is seriously contested; yet all these professions are gradually being opened to women. In 1896–97 there were in the United States 1,583 women pursuing medical studies to 1,471 in 1895–96; in dentistry, 150 women in 1896–97 to 143 in 1895–96; in pharmacy, 131 in 1896–97 to 140 in 1895–96. In law courses of professional schools were 131 women in 1896–97 to 77 in 1895–96; in theological courses 193 women in 1896–97.
The only aggressive work done by this bureau is in Alaska, and of this Dr. Sheldon Jackson is agent or superintendent. Besides doing a great work in education, this department has brought about 1,300 deer from Siberia to take the place of dogs, mules, and horses in transportation, and at the same time to give milk, butter, cheese, and meat to the population. The reindeer are self-supporting, living on the moss which grows abundantly.
These animals are loaned to individuals or missions, and at the end of five years the government requires an equivalent number to be returned. The Eskimo, the Lapp, and the Finn become expert in handling these herds, now numbering many thousands. By them mails are carried, and whalers, sealers, miners, and soldiers rescued from starvation, danger, or death.
The education as well as religious training of Alaska is up to this time conducted through the mission stations, all of which are visited, encouraged, and assisted by Dr. Jackson.
The Youth’s Companion tersely states the present condition of things:
When the churches first planned to send missionaries and teachers into Alaska, representatives of the several denominations met and divided the territory among them. Should the traveler ask the ordinary Alaskan miner what is the result of effort, he would probably be answered that there has been no result. The miner, in the words of Dr. Sheldon Jackson, is unconscious that the very fact of his presence there at all is the direct outcome of Christian missions. In 1877 Sitka and St. Michaels were armed trading-posts, out of which the soldiers shut the natives every night, that the inhabitants might rest in safety. For ten years not a single whaler dared to stay overnight at Cape Prince of Wales, so savage was the native population. Now, in all those ports, the miner and whaler and traveler can dwell in safety, because of the civilizing work of the missionaries. Probably ten thousand natives have been brought under Christian influences, and many public as well as mission schools have been opened.
Among the Moravian missions of the Yukon Valley few of the natives can read or write. At bedtime a bell rings, and the entire population goes to the churches. A chapter in the Bible is read, a prayer offered, a hymn sung; and the men, women, and children return to their homes and go to bed. Where in the United States can be found a better record?