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University of New Orleans

Theses/Dissertations

2009

South

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Behind The Fan: Conservative Activists In The New Orleans Christian Woman's Exchange, 1881-1891, Gabrielle Walker May 2009

Behind The Fan: Conservative Activists In The New Orleans Christian Woman's Exchange, 1881-1891, Gabrielle Walker

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

In 1881, Margaret Bartlett of New Orleans crafted the Christian Woman's Exchange using the New York Exchange chapter as a model. Bartlett hoped this new organization would help alleviate at least some of the economic suffering "reduced gentlewomen"faced. Despite the Exchange's original mission to help the elite, the group soon crossed class and racial boundaries in a campaign of conservative activism. The Christian Woman's Exchange helped women provide for their families by training them to produce homemade goods for sale in consignment shops. Simultaneously, working-class women found employment within the Christian Woman's Exchange lunch room and other business ventures. Since …