The Johns Hopkins Hospital Feb. 17, 1920.
Dear Miss Turner,
I want to ask your opinion. (I wish you'd cut loose & come down here.) The thing is this. You know we have just formed a local Alum. Organ. here with Miss Goddard (1903) as Pres. As it should be. It seems she is agitating an Educational Rally in conjunction with Smith, Goucher, Mt. H. Bryn Mawr for endowment campaign interest. The plans are not formulated or passed upon yet but her idea is that each college group have a speaker to "talk on general educational matters" before such financial units as the City Club etc. Without consulting me she told them that I would do that for Mt. H. gathered that it is as "an illustrious alumna who is on the faculty of a great institution" that I am to figure. Now if there is one thing I have constantly avoided it is to parade as a woman who is making good in a field where women usually struggle. It is emphasis on this sex line which is at the bottom of much professional prejudice. Moreover J.H. is a Balt. institution which I don't care to drag into the lime light of "See how smart I am!" On the other hand I don't want to stand aloof from a College to whose influences I owe so much. I have found Miss G.'s judgment poor in a number of matters - poor to the point of indiscretion - & I feel it is in this one. What say you?
I have just given $110 to the Endowment Fund & hope before 1924 at least to double it, though I did not say so on the pledge card. Mt. Holyoke was very generous with me & I have not forgotten the fact. I don't mean to be a slacker in working for her interests, but in the present matter I feel this speaking & showing [?] activity is unwise.
Please write soon; if possible send me a letter I could use in argument. Miss Hamilton, head of the Bryn Mawr School is to speak for B.M. Hast [?] seen her? She's over 50 & prides herself on never having read Thackery till 17 & then omitted all improper paragraphs. [smiley face]
Love,
Esther