The principle of opposites is the law by which all manifestations of life on this earth plane exist and become known. Contrast is the means used to make us appreciate the true worth of all things.

Would we appreciate sunshine if it never rained? If hatred and animosity did not exist would we understand love and kindness? If there were no ignorance would we be conscious of knowledge? If poverty did not exist would we be able to enjoy wealth? If woman had not suffered from the cave-man would she be able to appreciate the co-operative man? If woman did not exist would man be in existence? No!

Man and woman are the two component parts of humanity. With either element lacking the human race could not exist, and with either element undeveloped the race as a whole stagnates.

In centuries past woman has been the helpless, uneducated, unhonored part of mankind. As far back as historical records go woman’s chief sphere of activity has been the home. Her time has been so completely taken up with household duties and the rearing of children that her intellectual growth has suffered.

Formerly in the Orient women were not even considered as human beings. Certain Arab tribes counted them in with their livestock. In their language, the noun for “woman” also meant “donkey”; that is, the same name applied to both, and a man’s wealth was accounted by the number of these beasts of burden he possessed. The worst insult one could hurl at a man was to call out, “Thou woman!”

The American Indian in an uncivilized state allowed his squaw to rear a family and at the same time do all the hard labor of the day, while he sat around and smoked or fought in battle.

What a difference exists today! Civilization has advanced. Woman is awake to her identity. She is becoming conscious that she is the equal and complement of the masculine element of humanity.

Education is freeing her from the bondage of ignorance. The untrained, uneducated, inexperienced, suppressed half of the body of man has shaken off its paralysis. As woman receives the intellectual stimulus that can only come by contact with other minds, she is developing strength and learning how to fulfill her purpose in life, that of being the equal and complement of man, in fact the mother of all men.

Lack of development of either half of the human race delays progress. If either wing of the bird of humanity is weak or broken the bird cannot soar to its greatest heights.

But the fact that woman has not always been conscious of her powers, has not always been the life and inspiration that she is today, has not always contributed her intellectual gifts to the intelligence of the race, makes her even more appreciated, now that she is learning how to strengthen that weakened wing of the human bird.

A sweeping survey of woman’s activity in the world proves it to be extensive. A large group of progressive mothers are to be seen, who are educating themselves so that they in turn can adequately train their children.