The National Congress of Mothers by Mrs. C. C. Lewis

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 4, 1914

The National Congress of Mothers

By Mrs. C. C. Lewis

MRS. C. C. LEWIS

THE Mothers' Congress held its third international session on the welfare of the child, April 22-28, in Washington, D. C. Delegates from many States, representing organized motherhood and Parent-Teacher Associations, were in attendance; also delegates from other countries, including China, Japan, and Bulgaria.

I wish the mothers and fathers who read the REVIEW could have been with me the past few days, and listened to the earnest words of some of the noblest mothers in America.

The president, Mrs. Frederick Schoff, gave a powerful address on the subject "Laying the Foundation for Race Betterment." One lady who has wide experience in Christian work said the address was one of the best she ever heard.

"The Home and Child Welfare" was the main theme for two days. Thousands of babies die every year from lack of proper food and care. "Baby-Saving Work the World Around," was a round table topic. Mrs. Richardson, of New York, chairman of the Child Hygiene Department, gave a most excellent address on "The Press and Baby Saving." "Twentieth Century Motherhood" was another subject presented in a very helpful manner. Friday, April 24, "The School and Child Welfare" was taken up.

Reports were given by national chairmen of the National Congress of Mothers' and Parent-Teacher Associations; such as, "Department of Child Labor," "Children's Book List," "Opportunities for Child Study by Parents," "Methods of Organizations of Parents," "Parent-Teacher Associations Solve National Problems." These are a few of the many very practical topics discussed.

The National Congress of Mothers in 1897 adopted the following platform in its constitution:—

"The objects of this congress shall be to raise the standards of home life; to give young people opportunities to learn how to care for children, so that when they assume the duties of parenthood they may have some conception of the methods which will best develop the physical, the intellectual, and the spiritual nature of the child; to bring into closer relations the home and the school, that parents and teachers may cooperate intelligently in the education of the child; to surround the childhood of the whole world with that wise, loving care in the impressionable years of life that will develop good citizens; to use systematic and earnest effort to this end, through the formation of Parent-Teacher Associations in every public school and elsewhere, through the establishment of kindergartens and in the distribution of literature which will be of practical use to parents in the problems of home life; to secure more adequate laws for the care of blameless and dependent children; and to carry the mother love and mother thought into all that concerns childhood."

My heart has been deeply stirred by what I have heard and seen at this congress, and I say to myself: "What is the matter with us as a people? Why do we not organize our mothers in every educational center? Would it not be an inspiration to the church-school teacher to know that the patrons were studying along the same lines for the betterment of the children?"

But you say, "We are so busy! It takes all our time to cook, and sew, and keep the children tidy and fed." "In union there is strength." By coming together once or twice a month and studying the work of the school, the weary, discouraged mother will get new inspiration, and the teacher, seeing the difficulties under which some of her pupils work, will be led to greater patience with them, and to greater sympathy for them.

Parent-Teacher Associations

"For seventeen years one of the principal works of the Mothers' Congress has been the formation of parents' associations in schools. For seventeen years it has worked to interest educators and to organize the parenthood of the nation in connection with the public schools, with the definite purpose of thus providing for parents the opportunity to study the interests and development of childhood in home and school, and for the teachers the opportunity for a more sympathetic and complete insight into the individual needs and capabilities of their pupils.

"There are now thirty-six States where motherhood is organized for the welfare of childhood."

Takoma Park, D. C.