Notwithstanding these splendid educational advantages, as late as 1891 there was no opportunity in the Philadelphia public schools for a girl to prepare for college or for a business office. In 1893 the present superintendent, Edward Brooks, reorganized the Girls' High School, arranging a four years' classical course and a three years' business course.
There are in the public schools 9,360 men and 19,469 women teachers. The average monthly salary of the men is $42.69; of the women, $38.45. In Philadelphia the average for men is $121.93; for women, $67.61. In this city, by decree of the board of education, the highest positions are closed to women.
Pennsylvania is rich in women's clubs, 117 belonging to the State Federation. The three largest are the New Century, with 600 members; Civic, 500; New Century Guild (workingwomen), 400—all in Philadelphia. Most of the clubs have civic departments. The suffrage societies have full membership in the State Federation of Clubs. The Civic and Legal Education Society of Philadelphia, composed of men and women, has lecture courses on national, State and municipal government and a practical knowledge of law. A study class of municipal law is conducted by Mrs. Margaret Center Klingelsmith, the law librarian of the State University.
FOOTNOTES:
[412] The History is indebted for this chapter to Mrs. Lucretia Longshore Blankenburg of Philadelphia, who has been president of the State Suffrage Association since 1892.
[413] See [History of Woman Suffrage, Vol. I, p. 67].
[414] Officers in 1884: President, Mary Grew, vice presidents, John K. Wildman, Ellen M. Child, Passmore Williamson, corresponding secretary, Florence A. Burleigh, recording secretary, Anna Shoemaker, treasurer, Annie Heacock, executive committee, Mary S. Hillborn, Martha B. Earle, Sarah H. Peirce, Gertrude K. Peirce, Joshua Peirce, Leslie Miller, Maria P. Miller, Harriet Purvis, Caroline L. Broomall, Deborah Pennock, J. E. Case, Matilda Hindman, Dr. Hiram Corson.
[415] These meetings have been held in Chester, West Chester, Lancaster, Reading, Lewistown, Oxford, Kennett Square, Norristown, Scranton, Pittsburg, Harrisburg, Philadelphia, Chester and Columbia.
[416] For an account of the Citizens' Suffrage Association, Edward M. Davis, president, see [Vol. III, p. 461].