THE BUSINESS WOMAN

Evening Star, Issue 18332, 20 July 1923, Page 8

THE BUSINESS WOMAN

Tho Australian woman has had a niche in the commercial life of Australia almost, from the time it passed its teething- period (says tho ‘Ago’). When her English sisters were making a hitler struggle to break through the walls of prejudice which barred them from work wliic.ii in tho old conservative world was considered lit “for men only,” the Australian woman was well established. Yet when we consider the position to-day wo are surprised at the extraordinarily small advance made by women in this sphere. Those who have risen from tho clerical rank to executive office ans few in number. Englishwomen have made a greater advance. Very many women have an inherent aversion to accepting responsibility. One reason for this undoubtedly lies in the fact that many lack incentives when their attention and ambitions a,re divided. That is, they are simply occupying their time while wailing for marriage, iiut this docs not dispose of all the women who refuse to accept responsibility; titers arc. many who simply luck the courage to enter tho larger life. To gain experience and initiative one must ho out in the rough and tumble of life. Knowledge must, be used as a means to an end, and not as the road which leads to a. bookish culture.

The business woman must firmly set her mind towards the goal of success, .she must decide once and for all whether it is worth while to gamble her chance of success in the business world against the possibility of an early marriage, or whether she will be content in another twenty years to occupy' tho same quiet seclusion in which she now dreams. Having decided for success, sho must start out immediately on the more adventurous truck along which sho will meet with problems, worries, and anxieties winch scorn to be the necessary spurs to drive tlie traveller towards success.

As a stenographer or junior cioi’k sho has had a much easier life than her employer If she desires to rise she must change this and attempt t<‘ share some of the cares and responsibilities of his office. No woman who has followed alone/'these lines has been left iu tho ruck of mediocrity. t