McKinney of New York, Anderson of Philadelphia, Jones of St. Louis, Gray of Cincinnati.
In literature we have, among others, Mrs. Frances E. Harper, Mrs. A. J. Cooper, Miss Ida B. Wells, Mrs. Julia Ringwood Coston, editor of Ringwood’s Journal of Fashion; "Victoria Earle," Miss Lillian Lewis, a salaried writer for the Boston Herald; Miss Florence Lewis, who has won an enviable position as a journalist on some of the white periodicals of Philadelphia. In music, Mesdames Selika, Sisseretta Jones, and many other prominent queens of song. And it is not presuming too much to say that each of the fine arts is worthily represented by our women.
Sixty years ago, according to the United States Commissioner of Labor, there were but seven paying industrial occupations for, American women. Now there are three hundred and forty-six. In each of these industries colored women are gradually pushing their way to the front, and wherever they take with them intelligence and refinement they become an educational factor whose value cannot be overestimated. Scattered throughout the cities, towns and villages are numerous colored women who are conducting some prosperous business enterprise which they have undertaken voluntarily, or that has been thrust upon them by circumstance. One instance of which we have personal knowledge shows what can be accomplished under difficulties. Mrs. D—, a lady of much native genius, was born a slave and has never attended school, although by various means she has acquired a rudimentary education. Assisted by her husband she succeeded in acquiring a considerable
