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A BURDENED WOMAN

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Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jul 27, 1904

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 30, No. 30.

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A BURDENED WOMAN.

A daily paper has the following from a woman in bondage; and she speaks as a representative of many others. Our question is, why do they not break these shackles of fashion? They could clothe themselves in sensible apparel and look neither ugly nor dowdyish; thus doing would give them opportunity for gospel-of-health-and-comfort work to others. They might never be in the majority in a count of noses, but they would be right; and it is better to be right than to be president of the whole be-bustled, be-corseted, be-longskirted, be-pocketless brigade. But here is the cry of the burdened one; read it and go free:—
“Sir: I read the editorial in which you expressed yourself as pleased that the bustle was going to be worn again.
“Now, if you but knew how the majority of women suffer from the burdens of fashion you would do all in your power to bring about a new life for all womankind.
“We are obliged to follow fashions that are revolting to our nature in every way, for if we do not, we are made conspicuous by not conforming to these edicts of fashion-makers, are looked upon as old fashioned, out-of-date, antediluvian.
“Two of the most barbarous customs that were ever imposed upon womankind are those of being obliged to wear bustles or hoops.
“How I do envy the men the freedom they enjoy. Hair cut short so they do not have to worry to arrange to make it becoming. No skirts to always have to carry with one hand to keep from gathering up the dirt as they walk. Lots of pockets, so they are not burdened carrying a number of packages. While we poor slaves have not so much as one pocket to put a handkerchief in.
“O, please start the ball rolling that will deliver us from so much bondage. I am sure the newspapers could do this if they would undertake it.
“It is no wonder there is so much nervous prostration among women. They have enough to break nerves of iron or steel. A WOMAN.”