The idea of the separate woman's organization finds an interesting
illustration in the Lithuanian Woman's Alliance. This national
society, independent of any other organization, was organized in 1915
in Chicago. Only Lithuanian Catholic women who are in good standing in
the Church are admitted. The society has now grown, until there are
over five thousand members in different Lithuanian communities
throughout the United States.
The society was organized for the education of Lithuanian women in
America. Those interested in the organization recognized that it would
be very difficult to obtain support for such a movement among women of
the type they most wished to interest unless it had the indorsement of
the Catholic Church.
There are two departments, an educational (_Absvieta_) and a benefit
(_Pasalpa_). It was recognized by the leaders that little appeal could
be made to women for an educational enterprise, for the majority of
women are too ignorant and indifferent; but like the Polish women they
knew that "benefit" would appeal to every immigrant woman, for all
belong to at least one friendly insurance society. The poorer women
and the more recent immigrants are associated in the little parish
self-assessment societies, in which each pays a small monthly fee,
usually twenty-five cents. Membership in a substantial fraternal
insurance society costs more than they can afford to pay.
The Lithuanian Woman's Alliance provides insurance for 35 cents a
month. The benefit department provides for the payment of a death
benefit of $150, and $5 per week will be paid upon request to any
member who is sick more than two weeks. In each case in which benefit
is granted, two visitors are appointed to make arrangements for
hospital care if necessary, and to render any other needed assistance.
The idea back of this organization has been to help immigrant women to
adjust themselves to the new circumstances of life in America; the
method chosen has been through education along general and very
practical lines, beginning at the point where the women themselves
have come to recognize their needs. The fact that few of these women
can read even in their own language makes it very difficult to reach
them. At present, however, the task seems less difficult than ever
before. The fact that fewer lodgers are taken, that in some cases the
higher wages have lessened the pecuniary problems--even the fact that
women have been drawn outside the home to work--these facts, together
with the activities of women in war work, have served to give them a
sense of identity with the American community; so that there is now a
greater demand for English lessons than ever before. Many women now
realize the necessity of speaking the English language, and women who
read in Lithuanian are eager to learn to read English so that they
"may know what is in the attractive-looking magazines they see on the
news stands."
The educational department is open to all women, whether they wish to
avail themselves of the benefit or not, but the benefit department is
open only upon condition that members also take part in the
educational movement. Dues in the educational department alone are ten
cents a month. The educational program is to be carried on through the
local lodge and the official organ, _Woman's Field_, issued monthly by
the central committee.
The magazine, aside from such space as is needed for official notices,
is devoted to educational material. A typical number includes articles
on questions of general interest to women everywhere. Emphasis is laid
on the necessity for women's learning English and assuming the duties
of citizenship. One page each month devoted to questions of general
hygiene and the care of children is edited by a Lithuanian woman
physician. A page or section is given to instruction in the
preparation of food, as the Lithuanians realize that one of the
gravest problems for their people here has been that of diet. Space is
given to articles about Lithuania, "so that the young people may know
that they need not be ashamed of their country."
The educational work planned for the local lodge includes instruction
along many lines. Classes are held two evenings a week in the parish
halls. The work of one of the more active lodges gives an idea of the
scope of the undertaking. This chapter numbers over fifty members.
Regular monthly meetings for the payment of dues and transaction of
business are held on Sunday afternoon in the parish hall. After the
business is finished there is a social hour.
Weekday classes have been held on two evenings each week; on one,
English and sewing classes are held; on the other, cooking and
housekeeping classes. Women who have had greater advantages in Europe
as well as in the United States give their services as teachers. All
courses are planned for women who have had very little opportunity in
either country; the president of one of the lodges said, in explaining
their program, "You know Lithuanian women are not high up like
American women--they do not know how to keep house or cook or take
care of babies."
On one evening in the week the whole time is devoted to housekeeping.
The church hall has been equipped with a gas stove, a set of cooking
utensils, dining-room table, linen, dishes, and silver. Lessons are
given in the preparation and serving of a meal. Some attention is
given to food values, but the object is mainly to show women how to
prepare wholesome food as economically as possible. Processes of
canning, preserving, and drying fruits and vegetables are
demonstrated, as they are wholly new to most of the women. The women
are also shown how to scrub, wash dishes, and care for clothing.
Reference might also be made to a local society organized by
Lithuanian women about twelve years ago on a mutual-benefit basis, for
educational purposes, which were stated in the constitution to be:
... to provide sick and death benefit; to organize Lithuanian
women for a better and larger education; to provide evening
and day classes in reading, writing, sewing, sanitary
housekeeping, and the care of children; to provide lectures,
books, and programs to interest women in health and
education; to encourage friendship among Lithuanian women,
and provide social life; to provide scholarships for students
seeking higher education; to encourage writers; to encourage
women to read the newspapers in Lithuanian and English.
These women, who have all been in the United States for a considerable
period, and know the needs of the newcomers, have fitted up a
housekeeping center in the public park center in their neighborhood.
They have a kitchen and dining-room equipment consisting of a stove, a
set of cooking utensils, and a dining table with service. Here cooking
classes are held once a week, the lessons given by the women who are
skilled in cookery.
The attempt is made to create an interest in food values, in proper
cooking, and in wise spending. In housekeeping lessons, washing,
scrubbing, washing windows, and even dishwashing and the setting of
the table are taught. Classes in English have been organized, but
these women have suffered as others have suffered from a lack of
teachers skilled in teaching this kind of a group, and from a lack of
classroom material suited to their needs.
The Polish and the Lithuanian societies illustrate the organized
effort of women in those groups in which the group life is highly
developed, in which a number of women have become conscious of
separate needs and undertake to assist in the development of others of
their sex.