Florence, Lady Alexander

“ Some years ago the majority of women were educated to live at home and, as soon as they married, had to settle down to a daily round of duties and ceremonies which seldom suffered much variation.
Monotony—soul-searing monotony—is the bugbear of many a woman's life to-day. ”

“ And will you contradict me if I suggest that all the promise of a woman's future lies bidden, like a rosebud unfolded, in the dreaming of her girlhood? *⁠*⁠*⁠* It seems to me that the difference between a woman's misery and happiness is often just that difference between weakness and strength. The strong are those who have treasured the dreams and ideals of their younger days, yearning always to raise their lives to them, not lowering them to life. ”

“ This spirit of aspiration and faith in ideals amongst women folk makes society sound, pure, and progressive. Its absence makes it corrupt. With women lies the task of fixing social standards as they should be. And if we fail in this duty, as the women of Egypt, Greece, and Rome failed, the result will not bear thinking about. *⁠*⁠*⁠* Unfortunately, modem conditions of life for women do not always foster the growth and expression of these ideals. But radio is acting as a powerful remedy. To listen to some of the women who have broadcast is to forget immediate limitations. ”

“ And I know dozens of women who listen every night to the Children's Hour. Those radio uncles and aunts can give hints to many parents who find it difficult to amuse their children. *⁠*⁠*⁠* But these obvious advantages of broadcasting to women are not the only ones, not the most important. There is a deeper significance in the subject, for I perceive a hidden yet vital change in the outlook of the women of this country which, slowly and unobtrusively, is being brought about by radio. ”

“ How different Is the position of the thousands of women who, except for the blessing of a next-door neighbour and a few tradespeople, spend the best part of their days with nothing but their thoughts as company! ”

“ But with a wireless set you can catch the interesting ideas of progressive women and immediately make them your own. You can go visiting, so to speak, without leaving your home. *⁠*⁠*⁠* Women have always been the chief inspirational force in the world. Men are the workers-out. The world still stands in sore need of women who have developed this power of inspiration, and such women, I am convinced, do not represent competition nor conflict with men. ”

“ The readings from good books, too, which have been broadcast frequently during our special hour are immensely interesting and, I fancy, have renewed in many women a preference for serious literature in place of trashy novels. ”

“ What she confided to me about the effect of broadcasting upon her quiet life in the country set me thinking. *⁠*⁠*⁠* Few women listeners to whom I have spoken seem to realise how specially they are catered for by radio. Most items ostensibly arranged for men, such as motoring, racing, and golfing talks, are equally interesting to women. Men have no special preserve in the ether. We women have. ”