Art and Handcraft in the Woman's Building
of the World's Columbian Exposition

IN THE WOMANS’ BUILDING. 145 ing the character of work desired, and instructing the chairman to proceed to fill up the programme by providing one or two gifted women to read papers or deliver addresses each day during the Exposition. When the nature of the subject permits, an oppor- tunity for free discussion is afforded. Every avocation, profession, department, or line of work, of whatsoever nature, that has enlisted the interest and activity of women will be offered an opportunity for presentation through their most distinguished advocates at some time during these six months of daily intellectual feasts for women. It is a rare opportunity for persons visiting the Exposition to be brought in touch with many distinguished contemporary women of this and other countries, whose names are known throughout the ■civilized world, and who have consented to aid our work. If in a different age and under other governments women have been suppressed, at the Columbian Exposition at least they are guaranteed the right of free speech under the most favorable cir- cumstances. Such a dissemination of thought can not fail to broaden woman’s sphere of usefulness and facilitate her advancement. The golden opportunity for women has for some wise purpose been reserved to this good time, and is now placed in the hands of the women of our country, to crown the Columbian year. With united effort and singleness of purpose our Board, has worked with the view of uplifting and benefiting all classes of women the world over. All the results of their labor they can not hope to see, but the children of to-day may behold it to-morrow. This department, providing for interchange of ideas and. the close communion of thought, which always tends to overcome prejudice, and knit together the highest interests of humanity, will not be an unim- portant factor when the grand result of the perfect whole is «calculated. Mary K. O. Eagle. io