I'age Two
THE BENNETT BANNER
March, 1945
THE BENNETT BANNER
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EDITORIAL BOARD
Chairman MYRTLE L. BROWN. ’45 Feature Editor GLORIA DIX. '45
Business Manager
News Editor THORA E. KELLY, '45 CAROLYN L. ROBERTSON, ’45
STAFF ASSISTANTS
secretary MAYME HARRIS, ’4o Assistant Business Manager
BARBARA J. SANFORD, ’47
Circulation Manager Exchange i_ditor
NANCY PINKARD. ’46
TYPISTS
I'HELMA Thomas, '47
Gwen Alexander, ‘47
Edith Bishop, ’46
Margaret Caldwell, '46
Willie Ruth Coles, '47
Precious Copening, '45
PROOF READERS
Miriam McTeew, '47
REPORTERS
Helen Davis, ’47
Roberta E. Favors, '45
Goldwyn a. Foster, ’45
Ruth Hyatt, ’46
CAROL E. carter. '45
Eleanor Chippey, '45
Rose Hogans, '47
Jean McCord, ’47
Betty L. Powers, ’47
Mary Wagstaff, '45
M. Eugenia Sims, '48
ADVISER DR. FREDERIC A. JACKSON
EDITORIALLY SPEAKING
WHEN GI JOE COMES HOME
There’s a war going on. A war so big that it’s not only
taking our alHes to fight it, but millions of men throughout
this vast United States. They’re men who come from all over
the country — the little places and the big places, the country
and the cities, Harlem and Park Avenue, the little shots and
the big shots — men of all races, creed, and color. They’re
doing a job so immense that the greatness of it is almost too
much for us to conceive. And yet with all of this, the paradox
of it is that still some people haven’t as yet fully realized the
intensity and criticalness of the situation.
Twenty-seven years ago the First World War came to a
close and numerous tired, weary, and wounded men returned
to their homes. They were men who had given the best of
their strength and courage to preserve their nation’s safety.
And when the peace treaties had been signed people through
out the world hoped that that would be the end of all world
wars.
Today, we’re back in the fight again, embarking upon our
fourth vear of battle. That so much has happened within
these four years seems hardly feasible. We can’t say and we
won’t say that those believers of yesterday, who gave the last
full measure and devotion of their lives died in vain, because
that would be admitting defeat and persecuting the cause
for which they fought. We’ve come a long way within these
years, we’ve made considerable gains, and many changes
have taken place.
As Mrs. Roosevelt said in her recent address in our chapel
on the occasion of the nineteenth annual Home-Making In
stitute, “I’m glad that you have chosen as a subject, “The
Veteran Returns to His Family”, because we know far too
little about the changes that have taken place in regard to the
veterans’ administration laws between this and the last war.
About 2,000 men return from overseas weekly, some on fur
lough, some wounded who will never go back, and others who
will after a long or short period of rest. We are fortunate
that we can have a period when just a few return.”
Yes, we are fortunate to have them back, and regardless
of all we do, we can’t say we’re tired because the most we
could do would in no way measure up to the sacrifices those
boys are going through over there. And when they come
back, it is our task to see to it that they have something
worthwhile to come back to. Its a task so great that its going
to take a great deal of patience, understanding, and planning
on the part of the entire nation, as well as the home and com
munity. All of these will have to form one solid whole and
work toward the sole end of making his homecoming the
very best possible in all respects — employment, general re
habilitation to society, and educational and vocational train
ing.
The man who comes back will not want your pity. It’s true
that he will undoubtedly be more tired and weary than the
soldier of the last war, but let’s see to it that he’s not disillu
sioned when he reaches these shores. He’s simply going to
want the chance to be “plain Joe” again with a good job to
give him a sense of security, your love and companionship,
the respect as an American and the peace and comfort of a
family of his own. Make his welcome all that he has antici
pated during those long months away — and remember, wel
come the man and not his wound.
Nancy Pinkard, ’46.
Inquiring
Reporter-..
Wlial do ,v(iu cdiisidei' tlie highlight
())' .Mrs. Ildosevelt's visit at Heniiett?
i tiling that tln! tea was tiie iiigli-
liglit of .Mrs. Roosevelt's visit l)ecaiise
lliere, one liad tlie ojiportuiiity to meet
li(“r iiersonally.
1;oSA ilAE EVERETT.
I
1 was (^specially impressed liy ili'S.
Itcjoseveit's addi'ess to tiie sciiooi I'iiil-
Irin ill that siie iiad special aiipeai
lor tiiem. Her speecii was cliaraeter-
i;«‘(l liy a simplicity and vividness
\,-hicli made lier ilhistrations vei-y real
(I tlie children.
ANN li.\UM'71'T.
1 consider tlie highlight of ilrs.
Roosevelt's visit to be her greeting to
the soldiers. She showed the charm
mil gracioiisness of her personality
iiul apprei-iation of their .service for
llitir country.
OLLIE CREWS.
I'o iius Mrs. Roosevelt's visit was
highlighted liy the aura she created on
I lie campus. She came as a woman to
a school of women. Her personality
was insiiiring and adniirahle.
^■()R.’\1A SWOl’E.
I
I think the real highlight was .Mrs.
Roo.sevelt's speaking from the portico
of the chapel to the sciiooi children be
cause it was a highlight in their lives.
Tlie children seemed so thrilled and
pleased at seeing and listening to .Mrs.
lioosevelt.
IiAISV WILSOX.
msmmMrnm
Reader's Retreat
'I’ll me, the tea was the highlight of
.Mrs. Roosi'velt's visit, 'f'lie opportunity
id' me“ling such an outstanding per
sonality was an inspiring moment.
ETT.V IKXi.VX.
.Mrs. Roo.sevelt's ,sp»'ecli on Tuesday
night Wiis the highlight of her visit to
me. .-Vside from the fact that lier
speech was a pertinent one, it revealed
h'‘r charming p{*rs-.?na!ity :is ','.'ell.
(iLORl.V DIX.
'I'he highlight of .Mrs. Roosevelt's
visit to me was the addre.s.s in tlie
cliajiel. She emphaslz(“d the fact that
upon his r(‘turii, the vet(‘raii wanted
education and the rl.ght to he an
.American citi/.en.
•lEAN SI.MS.
)
The highli.ght of .Mrs. Roosevelt's
visit was lier speaking to and shak
ing hands with both Negro and white
soldiers. 'I'hls showi'd lier true spirit
of democracy.
H'CII.LE IIROW.X.
The tea honoring ilrs. Uoosevelt was
to me tilt highlight of lu>r visit. Tin*
opiiortuiiity of personally meeting the
"First Lady" was one which I great
ly apjireciated and shall never for
get.
.lOYCE EDLEV.
The presentation of flowers to Jlrs.
Roosev(‘lt by the Xegro (!irl Scouts
was to me the highlight of lier visit.
This was due to the poise and charm
Ilf the scout presenting the flowers and
the .gracious way in which ilrs. Roose
velt received them.
S.\ R.\ 11 WHITT 1 X( :T( )X.
Campus
Attitudes - -
We appreciate:
'I'he music box in the bookstor(>: and
tlu> extra hour after supper which was
added for the student's en,jiiynient of
the music.
The Honie-.Making Institute inviting
such distinguished guests to visit our
cani|ius. esiK'cially the first lady. Mrs
EU'anor Uoosevelt.
'I’he activities sponsortMl during Se
nior Week.
'I'he iiarticlpation of the .\. and '1'.
Theater (!uild in our Home .Making In
stitute activities.
We do not appreciate:
Students who do not r('sp(>ct the I>«‘e
I Ilv(“ emjiloyees.
A\ ALT.AU IN THE FIELDS—
JjUdvvig Lewisohii
Every young pt'rson has a dream ol
what he would like for his life to be.
.ionie want a life full of (“xcitement
.111(1 haiipines.-^, oiu' of indep(^ndence and
,i conipleti' fri>(‘dom from responsibili-
,i(‘S which might tie them down. So it
was with RoS(> 'I'rezevant anil Dick
l!(ld('ii, to a les.ser degree. Rose was
aspiring to be an actress and, of
course, hoped lor fame. Dick Ilelden
•vas ii writ(“r. Once in a while he turned
■ Hit something worlhwliile but often he
was satilied witli what lu‘ wrote.
Rose and Dick were two boarders
in the boarding liouse of Mrs. Roche,
i^ike any other boarding house it con
tained an interesting conglameratioii of
lodgers—.Mrs. Cora Harhani, a poet,
iti'ginald Langtry, and others. 'The
ooarders often met in .Mrs. Itarhani's
room to held their "excellent ami en
lightened conversations" on the valut'S
of emancipation from the hum-di'um
existence of life which especially the
ri'sponsibilities of marriage brought.
.Mrs. liarham spoke very eneregtically
against marriage as being a curb on
a «'onian's personality and independ
ence. Rose believed that ('ora was
•speaking tlie height of wisdom and
that the youth of today, in their desire
for independence iiad a foresight which
their parents did not have.
Uose and Dick though they weie «i
p:irt of the same group hardly Iviiew
each other. Yet Dick had always been
attracted to Rose, never daring to
dream that she might be attracteii to
him. 'I'liey become close iriends, lind-
ing in each other an understanding
companion. 'I'lieir frieiulsiiip gre\\’ into
love. 'I'hey were so happy in their love
and seemed to lie in a ma.gic world ot
tiieir own. I’tMiple and things around
them seemed to be merely a setting for
their love.
'I'hey were married and though Dick
would rather have bought a home,
settled in a small apartment. Rose did
not \vant a home. She Mas determinei-l
to shun any part of family life which
might rob of iier precious “individual
ity". She could not forget her desire to
be an actress and was waiting lor a
part which a producer had iironiised
her. Dick did not really like the idea
but since she was so set on it, he said
nothing. In the lirst year of tlieir niar-
riagf' tliey were very happy. 'They went
to the movies, went to parties, and did
other things wliicli took on a new
glamour because they did them to-
getlK'r. 'I'he tirst summer they took a
trip to a village in tlie Kerkshire foot
hills. Dick felt a desire to live in tliis
ipiiet and peaceful country but Itose
resented the su.ggestion as a threat to
her individuality. Dick I'atlier resented
this independence of Rose because it
prevented liim from settling in a place
which might have ripened liis mind for
his work. He liad had trouble witli his
writing—he seemed to have dillicuity
in tiiiding something worthwhile about
whicli to write.
Upon their j-eturn to the I'ity, Rose
obtained the part in tiie play for which
she had hoped. However, the play was
not successful for long. Rose was dis-
rressed and unhappy at its failure and
because she was going to have a baby.
She wanted to get rid of it. Dick agreed
though it hurt iiliu consideralily. Even
though he feigned a desire for complete
individuality, deep within it was not
just what he wanted.
'I'he two seemed to grow apart con
stantly even though at odd moments
tlu‘y seemed to recapture the rapture
of their lirst days of love. Dick was
va.guely troubled, however, because
these moments seemed to be based upon
physical attraction. Rose was unhappy
because she had been unable to secure
a part in any other play. She uncon
sciously hlameil Dick for this—slie
looked upon him as a hindrance to the
expression of her individuality. Dick
was unliapiiy b(*caiise Rose was and
h(‘cause he could not st‘‘m to bridge
the growing gtdf between them. He had
a feeling that they had missed some
vital knowledge which might have
giv(‘ii meaning to their lives but he
didn't k'now where to be.gin to look foi
this vital knowledge.
'I'lien came the depression. Did;, of
course, lost most of his savings and
many of his investments wi're rendered
worthless. ISecause they thought they
might live niori* cheaply and might
find an avenue of escape from the ten
sion of being together, Dick and Rosi'
decided to tak(» a trip to lOurope and
live ther(> tmtll conditions were better.
Rose was vei'y eiithusiatisc, Dick a
little wary of this as the answer to
tlieir problems. On the way over they
met a Dr. Weyl to whom Dick was im
mediately attracted becattse of his wise
philoso]ihy and because he .seemed to
have foniid the answer foi' which Dick
was seeking. 'I'lu'y promised to con
tact each other later upon arrival in
I’ai'is. .\t first when they settled in
I’arls, Dick and Uose were heppy but
gradually that old tension and strain
crt‘pl in. 'I’he two grew further and
further apart and finally Dick could
stand it no longer and decided io go
away. H(“ went to Ivambouillet where
he spent many hours trying to find out
what had liappentMl to him and Ro.se,
what was missing in their lives. 'The
atmospheri' there was pleasant and
quiet and conducive to reflection.
'I'here Dick met Certrude Villiers with
whom he had many confidential chats
though he kiu'w there would never be
anything between them. Yet he found
hiins(‘lf wanting to make love to her:
he kne\\’ that he would be using lier as
a means of :illeviating his painful de
sire for Ros(‘ and so early one morning
he left R;inibouillet. He hoped to find
Rose willing to woiiv with him to tind
a way out of their dilemma but she was
adamant and resisted liis pleas. Xoth-
iug should impair her independence.
l!nt after some days. Rose seemed to
chang(>. Slu' he.gan to lean on Dick;
when sh(‘ had been afraid of losing her
husband altog('ther, she be.gan to see
how foolish she had been in resisting
her love for him.'I’Ih'two met Dr. Weyl
again and through his advice they b('-
gan to see the necessity of their re
turning home, of tiuding a duty and
an attachment and a fulfillment rather
thjiii seek escape J'rom them. 'I'hey be
gan to set' that tlu'y had deliberately
avoided the simple and iiermaneut
things of life.
Itefore returning to .\merica Rose
and Dick with Di'. Weyl took a tour of
simthern France and iiortii Africa.
They found there an immeasurable
W('alth of proof of the importance of
the simple elemental things of life—
buiiding a home, raising a family, liv
ing for each other. I’pou their return
to .\nu'i'ica they bou.ght a farm in Con
necticut where they could pursue the
life «iiich they desired. 'I'hey made no
attempt on their farm to make a profit
(HI their crop. 'I'hey wanted to I'aise
only what they themselves needed.
'I'here w:is now between Rose and Dick
a bond— a bond between their spirits
which lu't'ded no expression in the
spoken word. 'I'hey were transformed
persons—they had learned that excite
ment and happiness in life come not
through enjoynif'iits but through an ex-
[irt'ssion of the self in the every day
things of life—birth, love, sorrow—and
an inner satisfaction in this expres
sion. .Man must build his altar in the
fields which Cod has createih
I'FKIFFEK CH.AI’FL
It's a place of warmth
From the winter's snow
It's a iilace of tenderness where all
may go.
You jiass this place from day to (hiy
And one peeji In and you'll want to stay.
Hecause it's a place of Holy Peace—
-A place of beauty that will never cease.
It's a place where music sweet fills
the air
.And silent prayers are sanctified.
Y’es, it is Pfeiffer Chapel.
CHARLO'I'TE RAXDOLPH, ’40.