I have not had or gone through so much pain and suffering as many poor
mothers have to go through.
It was during pregnancy I did suffer through my own ignorance. I had
a most devoted mother, and was carefully brought up, but on this
subject she failed. I was the youngest of three girls, and not even my
sisters, who were both married before me, did I ever hear any mention
of this.... I was in my twenty-fourth year, so I was not too young to
be instructed. It would have been very much better for my health if I
had received some knowledge of this. I feel so glad you have given me
this opportunity to just say something on the subject. I have recently
visited one of our prisons, and find that the greatest number of women
and girls who have fallen through drink have commenced to form this
habit with it being given to them when young girls, and again when
they become mothers. Of course, we know it is a weakness, but when a
mother, nurse, or doctor could just as well give them many things which
would do far more good for them, and save them from this. If we could
only rise up in a body, we Guildwomen, and close the wine lodges, we
could save our young women! It is there where the White Slave traffic
often starts, and these women will tell you. I could give you several
accounts of these poor downcast creatures, but I am afraid I would be
going away from the subject you are anxious to gain all information.
I was in Mrs. R.’s Home for Infants yesterday, and I saw there quite
enough to know what kind of mothers and fathers those babies must
belong to. They do not get enough food or rest before these mites
come into the world. If we could have afternoon classes for our young
married women, and give them good instruction and knowledge for them
to be able to be quite prepared to carry out when the time comes! We
have had in our Guild this session some splendid evening lectures from
doctors and nurses; but when I call round before we have these lectures
and ask the young mothers to come to the meetings, they are busy with
the home duties or children, so I think afternoon classes for a short
time would do a great amount of good.
_Wages 45s. 6d. to 60s.; one child._