Those whose words are quoted here are representative women, leaders in their various organizations, representing hundreds of thousands of individuals. Many of them are among our foremost writers, artists, teachers, actors, orators and organizers—some of them combining several of these qualities.
“Woman’s Voice” might easily have been two or three times its present size, but that would have meant a publication too expensive to reach the thousands of readers of moderate means to whom this work is an immediate, special appeal. Future editions of this Anthology will be revised and enlarged until we finally shall have a perfect volume which will take its place in every home as a standard household classic, along with those other books of strong human appeal which every home possesses.
Much of the material in “Woman’s Voice” is covered by copyright, and special permission has been granted the editor to reproduce it here. Many very good things were taken from exchanges (more or less obscure publications), and in such cases the original source of their appearance was difficult to trace. However, in each instance attempt has been made to give credit where it is due, and the editor hopes she has made no serious failures in this respect.
The many publishers and publications, as well as authors and artists represented here, have been very kind in their co-operation to make “Woman’s Voice” a success, by granting permission to use these selections from their output. Special mention is given them elsewhere.
It is the editor’s hope that this volume will circulate very largely in the small towns and country districts of our nation. I want the millions of women who are feeling, and thinking, but who are as yet inarticulate upon the larger affairs of life, to find their need and their voice in this volume. I want that great isolated sisterhood, many of whom have never read a book by a woman on social questions, to have this volume in their homes—and always near at hand; on the sewing table, or in the kitchen cabinet, where it may be referred to between cake-baking and bread-making times. I hope the children in these homes will memorize the verses in this book, and recite them at the Friday afternoon “Literaries,” in their schools.
I hope the club women will make constant use of this volume in their club work—in the preparation of programs, and in roll calls. For the things quoted here deal with the most vital issues of the times, as well as with the most intimate personal emotions and needs of the individual, and are presented by responsible and capable women. Also, they show the growth of race progress through woman’s efforts—how she has struggled and won educational rights; how she has struggled and won political rights; how she has struggled and won matrimonial rights, and rights for her children, and for the world’s workers. How she is struggling still to bring about an ever higher and fuller life for today and for the future.
And in all this she needs your help, you in your isolated corners; for not until every nook and cranny is active and comes to the front, can our nation attain to those heights for which our womankind is so valiantly working.
When woman’s voice is heard the world around, mankind will hearken to her cries and heed them.