Representative women of New England/Georgia A. Russell

by Mary H. Graves

GEORGIA A. RUSSELL

GEORGIA ABBIE RUSSELL, Agent for the Massachusetts State Board of Prison Conmiissioners, has for the past six years had charge of the work of aiding discharged female prisoners. She is a daughter of George Woodliury and Abigail (Bunker) Russell. When she was two weeks old, her mother died, and her father, a few months later, went to California, leaving her in charge of Benjamin Bunker, an uncle, whose wife, Elizabeth Ober Burnham, was her mother's cousin.

George Woodbury Russell, her father, who was born in Salem, Mass., and was for many years a sea captain, died in California when she was seven years old. His ancestors were men of prominence in the army and navy, and the family was noted for its charitable deeds. Miss Russell remembers accompanying her aunt and grandmother to homes of the sick and afflicted, and she was often sent on errands of mercy. Mrs. Abigail Bunker Russell, the mother above named, was born in Beverly, Mass. She also was descended from a family interested in charitable works. Miss Russell's grandfather Bunker was a gunner in the navy during the Revolution, and her great-grandfather was' the owner of the farm in Charlestown on which Bunker Hill is situated. His wife was one of the Breed family whose farm joined that of the elder Bunker. Their fields, including the memorable Breed's Hill, were the scenes of sanguinary strife in those dark days.

Miss Russell, in referring to her aunt under whose care she was placed when an infant, says: "She eventually proved her worth as mother and friend. Blessed resemblance of that dear soul, whose noble Christian life was one long sacrifice for others, was an incentive to me to imitate her example. The tenacity with which she clung to her friends was a marked trait in her character, she being always a sunbeam in their presence. Her cheerful, warm-hearted greeting, her unselfish deeds of kindness, her tender interest in the welfare of her friends, her hopeful spirit, and unassuming and sustaining religious faith and Christian life will ever be remembered by all who were brought in contact with her."

With the exception of three years of public school life, Miss Russell received her education in private schools, completing it in Philadelphia in 1871. The following year she entered the pension office in Boston, and served under the administrations of Dr. Phelps, the Hon. D. W. Gooch, and General B. F. Peach. Fifteen years of that time she was chief clerk of the Pension Bureau. In 1898 she entered the service of the Prison Commissioners at the State House as Miss Frye's successor. In continuing the work as Agent for Discharged Female Prisoners she has aimed to instil into the minds of unfortunate women the necessity of being self-respecting and self-supporting.

In her first report to the Board of Commissioners she said: —

"On January 20, 1898, Miss Sarah Ellen Frye closed her labors for discharged prisoners. For weeks prior to that time her failing strength had demanded rest, which her energy and devotion to her work forbade. On that day, however, she became seriously ill, and on the fourth day of March the end came. As her successor, I fully appreciate her labor of love, and realize through personal experience the responsibility and immensity of her work. Four hundred and thirty-nine women have been furnished with work since February 9, 1898. Contrary to the usual custom of giving office fees, which is often a source of temptation, I go with them to the employment bureau, or previously arrange for them, so that no money shall pass through their hands. Many letters have been written to hotels and private homes for positions for these women, thus saving many office fees. After a home or work has been provided, the interest does not cease here, as visits are made at their homes as far as practicable, a correspondence is kept up with a large number, and it is found that the attention is not wholly lost, for many appreciative letters are returned to the office. "Seven hundred and two letters have been sent to these women. Seventy-eight girls have been sent to home and friends, five sent to hospitals, and two to the Home of the Good Samaritan.

"When it is considered what a large amount of investigation is required to enable the agent to deal intelligently and fairly with the great number of cases constantly demanding attention, besides the clerical work of the office, I find that the days are not long enough to accomplish all I would wish.

"To lift fallen womanhood out of the slough of despair, and lead her to a realizing sense that she possesses within herself the elements of a nobler life, is to accomplish much in this field of labor. This point once reached, to perfect the rest is only needed the helping hand which will aid her to become self-supporting. It is impossible to sum up the results of the work. However, this comforting thought comes to me: 'Daughter, be not dismayed by the painful labors which thou hast undertaken for me, but let my promise strengthen and comfort thee in all events.'"

Extracts from the last report given by Miss Russell, under date October 1, 1902, also show the spirit, untiring zeal, and success with which she labors: —

"Time has brought us to the close of another year, and we gratefully acknowledge that the hand of the Lord has been with us, and that much good has been accomplished.

"I assume at the start that every woman who obeys the moral law and earns an honest living is a benefit to the world; that, disregarding higher motives, to make of a discharged prisoner such an individual, rather than an outcast, a pauper, or a confirmed criminal, is, as a matter of business, profitable; that the average prisoner at the time of discharge, standing at a point where the downward path opens smooth and broad and the upward rugged and narrow, requires assistance — assistance of such a kind and given in such a manner as experience has shown that each particular case requires. This assistance the State has generously given to the cause of humanity, and for humanity's sake the Redeemer suffered.

"As to the desired end, there is, among civilized people in a Christian land, no chance for controversy: the only possible contention is, how that end may best be attained.

"There are women to whom imprisonment has meant something, who if they have sinned have also suffered, whose repentance is sincere, and who desire to live blamelessly in the future. Of this class I recall sixty-seven cases. This number may appear small, but the future of every one of these was in peril; and who shall place a value upon a human soul? It was the one lost sheep, and not the ninety and nine safely within the fold, for which the Shepherd concerned himself. I recall three instances of the power of divine love. One case was that of a girl who came to me a year ago, somewhat under the influence of liquor, and asked me to save her from her friends. I took her to a place of safety, where I could watch over her, and in due course of time sent her to a Christian home in Kansas, where she is making for herself a name above reproach.

"Another case was of a girl now being educated for a missionary. Still another started last week for the South, to become a teacher in a school for girls. These living testimonies and the thought of my Master's example give me courage to press on with renewed effort and watchfulness over these hopeful causes, to make for them a living reality of the words of the Master when he said, 'Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.'

"Do this, and to many a storm-beaten spirit the midnight darkness of despair will be illumined by the bright sunshine of hope fulfilled. Of one thousand five hundred and seven women who have been helped this year, eight hundred and ninety-three have been furnished employment, four hundred and twenty-six sent to home and friends, one hundred and two sent to hospitals, seven sent to insane asylums, fifty-eight have died, and twenty-one have been married."

Miss Russell is a Roman Catholic in her religious faith. She is a member of the Monday Evening Club of Boston. She is greatly interested in the Twentieth Century Club and in all well-advised efforts for the advancement of woman.