WHO’S WHO AMONG
THE WOMEN OF CALIFORNIA
1922
____________
FORDWARD
After nine years of work with the women of California I am more and more interested and fascinated with the great contributions they make to practically every phase of human endeavor.
They are an earnest, sincere, intellectual group---these California women. Their loyalty to any given cause is an outstanding characteristic.
So keen are their intellects, so marked their progress in their chosen activities, that the mind and the heart of one who sees and understands is in sympathy with their devotion's.
In this frame of mind I set about the sacred task of selecting "Who's Who Among the Women of California."
I felt then, as I feel now, that this superb piece of work in recognition of the women of the Golden State will not only be a lasting tribute to those whose deeds are notated here, but that there achievements will inspire others who, in their turn, shall follow them.
Back of this authentic work ascribed, exclusively, to the interests of California women has been an idea---an idea that here in the West when women achieve their is the great, generous thought that women, everywhere, in everything they do, gives out a force which is the propel in power of all that is best within.
Whether it be in writing a book, modeling a statue, painting a picture, composing an opera, building a massive structure, making laws, or in any particular part of the feminine world where women reign, the loadestar of their hopes, the loadestone of their ambitions, guided by their great faith are, alike, supreme.
While considerable space has, preforce, been devoted to seek group women in their various achievements, there is back of the same grouping, another aggregation of women the highest in the best of all---the WOMAN OF THE HOME.
The women who creates, maintains and protects the great American home.
For, whatever inspiration may, to able women; whatever honor may be bestowed upon women, collectively or individually; whatever, may be women's legal rights, their privileges---"A mother is a mother still, the holiest being alive."
This book devoted to "Who's Who Among the Women of California" should therefore, and inspired the home woman to make her home happier, "to have and to hold" her home-life as the greatest heritage of all.
To the home woman am I indebted for the idea of revealing the achievements of California's womanhood!
To her, do I ascribe a great belief in woman kind.
A man's point of view in the publication of this book has been a spur for better things. Many have stood on the threshold of women's affairs, and looked at their activities with some amazement and concern. But the men who have published this book walked thoughtfully into the vestibule of temples women have erected for their humanities and they're very big activities. With a sense of reference the publishers and the editor of this unusual book have, to my knowledge, turned the full light of appreciation on the noble things which women do, and have taken full measure, by the very strength of their masculine minds, of the value of women's place in the world.
[Signed]
Josephine Wilson
©
2005 Nancy Pratt Melton
GOLDEN NUGGET LIBRARY'S SACRAMENTO COUNTY