A School Committee of only Women in 1904

In 1904 a committee composed of entirely women was elected to take charge of affairs at Yaldhurst School.  The experiment excited a great deal of curiosity at this time and the committee fell victim to great ridicule.  The members of the committee were all ready to acknowledge the courtesy they had received from the men even though they had taken the management role of the school.  A committee consisting of only women at this time did bring some disadvantages.  The women arranged a 'bee' (working bee) among their male friends to do some fencing and other work around the school which was difficult tasks for them to undertake at the time.  It is said that the secretary said "if only we were men.  We shouldn't have to worry the husbands and brothers."  The men it is said were delighted to give the ladies help as they were bearing such burdens (a little tongue and cheek I think.)

The committee had a strong start having a secretary who was a lady who came with a long history in the teaching profession.  It is noted that she was cheerful, had a tactful manner and a sharp business instinct.  Correspondence was always attended to promptly and accounts were admirably kept.  During their term of governance they doubled the prize and picnic fund and raised enough funds to purchase a piano for the use of the school.  The finances were flourishing and this stood particularly well with the Education authorities (now Ministry of Education.)  They did not claim that only women should manage the board and instead felt it would benefit the committee and especially the town if they were a mixed committee of men and women; they believed that women were always capable of doing good work where children had to be cared for but they exceeded all expectations when it came to the governance and management of our school. 

Pioneers of their time!  In the words of the song by Annie Lennox and Aretha Franklin "Sisters are doing it for themselves!"