When They Were Girls

Jane Addams, Susan B. Anthony, Clara Barton, Frances Burnett, Julia Howe, Hellen Keller, and Harriet Beecher Stowe are some of the influencial women in our history whose lives and accomplishments are covered in this little book. "When They Were Girls contains the stories of a group of American women, each one of whom occupies a very important place in her particular field. The stories of these women have been written many times before. We feel, however, that in this book you possibly may find that their stories have been written in a little different way. Our desire has been to bring very closely to the attention of our many readers some of the outstanding characteristics in the girlhoods of these women, and to show the relationship between these qualities in girlhood and the achievements of adult life."

By : Rebecca Deming Moore (1877 - 1935)

00 - Editor's Introduction 01 - Jane Addams - The Girl Who Became a Neighbor to the Needy 02 - Louisa M. Alcott - Whose Stories of Real Life Are a Delight to Girls and Boys 03 - Susan B. Anthony - Who Worked for Sixty Years to Secure Rights for Women 04 - Clara Barton - The Girl Who Unfurled the First American Red Cross Flag 05 - Amy Marcy Cheney Beach - The Girl Who Made Melodies 06 - Cecilia Beaux - Whose Paint Brush Has Brought Her Fame 07 - Evangeline Booth - The Girl Who Lived the Meaning of Her Name 08 - Frances Hodgson Burnett - The Girl Who Loved Stories and Wrote Them 09 - Katharine Bement Davis - The Girl Who Has Helped to Straighten Twisted Lives 10 - Grace Hoadley Dodge - The Girl Who Worked for Working Girl 11 - Alice Cunningham Fletcher - The Girl Who Befriended the Red Man 12 - Louise Homer - Who Believes that Hard Work Is the Secret of Her Success as a Singer 13 - Harriet Goodhue Hosmer - The Girl Who Loved Art More Than Ease 14 - Julia Ward Howe - Whose Battle Hymn Sang Itself into the Hearts of a Nation 15 - Helen Keller - The Deaf and Blind Girl Who Found Light and Happiness Through Knowledge 16 - Maria Mitchell - The Girl Who Studied the Stars 17 - Alice Freeman Palmer -The Girl Who Guided College Girls 18 - Maud Powell - The Girl Whose Violin Spread Afar the Message of Music 19 - Ellen H. Richards -A Scientist Who Helped Home-Makers 20 - Elizabeth Cady Stanton - The Girl Who Helped to Draft Woman’s Declaration of Independence 21 - Harriet Beecher Stowe - The Girl Whose Story of Slavery Aroused The Whole World 22 - Kate Douglas Wiggin - Who Put the Joy of Living into Her Books 23 - Frances E. Willard - The Girl Who Fought the Dragon, Drink 24 - Ella Flagg Young - Whose Slogan Was “Better Schools for Girls and Boys”

When They Were Girls contains the stories of a group of American women, each one of whom occupies a very important place in her particular field. The stories of these women have been written many times before. We feel, however, that in this book you possibly may find that their stories have been written in a little different way. Our desire has been to bring very closely to the attention of our many readers some of the outstanding characteristics in the girlhoods of these women, and to show the relationship between these qualities in girlhood and the achievements of adult life.

To many people, doubtless to almost everyone, comes the desire to produce results, to achieve, and to add one’s bit to the welfare of the world. Sometimes one is apt to become impatient, and to feel that he is not arriving at his goal. Under such circumstances it is helpful for us to acquaint ourselves with the life story of someone whom we feel has reached the goal for which we are striving. We may then learn that success does not come overnight, but that years of careful, painstaking work are often spent before the contribution that one has for the world is completed.

It is so easy to admire someone who has attained success, and to wish for that same success and recognition oneself. Often, however, we are not willing to pay the price that he or she paid. To very few people does success come easily. The small minority to whom it does seem to come in that way can only remain successful through careful, painstaking work.

The women whose stories are within this book have not obtained the praise of the world easily. As girls, some of them were wealthy, some of them were very poor; but they all had obstacles to overcome. Each one had her own way to make. No amount of money, nor an especially fine environment, could ever be the means of making anyone successful. Success comes not from without, but from within.

It is, of course, desirable to have every opportunity that will help to develop one’s particular ability. The greater a person’s opportunity to receive help from all available good sources, the better it is for him. However, success depends upon oneself. No amount of encouragement, no effort put forth by loving parents, no amount of money expended for advantageous purposes, will ever accomplish great things unless the person himself really desires to achieve.

No matter how small our part in the world may seem, it is possible for us each to do our work in such a way that it will prove to be a forerunner of greater things to come. We can take but one step at a time, and by taking that step as best we know how we shall be led to something higher. In reading the stories in this book you will see at once that when these women were girls they had no idea of what they would ultimately achieve. Nevertheless, they each took the steps that seemed necessary to their progress, as each step presented itself. This careful preparation, this conscientious work, has enabled these women to give to the world their best, and has made it possible for us to profit not only by their gifts but by their example, as well.