State

Madams Secretary . . ■ \(‘w careers in IVorth Carolina Mu. Morgorcl Linker, Concord; Mr». Jonc S. Whitcficld, Chopel Hill; Mr». Lucllo N. Dovit, Wendell; Mr». Helen B. Clear, Blowing Rock; Mr». Genic BoMcr, Morgonlon. A brand-new career for North Carolina women has opened up in the past few years — chamber of com¬ merce work. Just a few years ago. a full-time woman chamber secretary was an oddity. Now we can count 17 (and there probably are more), holding down these jobs. At first, the jobs went to women by default — because men were not available. But word spread that women secretaries were doing good work, and in a quiet revolution women began to take over posts formerly held by men. Some of them arc experts, too. They organize and work with com¬ mittees, get out brochures, run credit bureaus, put on community trade events and handle the one hundred and one other jobs the average com¬ munity saddles on a chamber of com¬ merce. Longest Tenure The first woman to take over a full¬ time North Carolina chamber of com- Mr». Som H. Worliek, Ncwton*Cono»er By BILL SIIAICPt: mcrcc job probably was Mrs. Genie Bohler. Morganton. She started 12 years ago, working for the late Frank Barfield, but soon was "top hand" in her organization. During her tenure the chamber built its own office build¬ ing — the first, we think, in North Carolina. Mrs. Bohler likes Morgan¬ ton. likes her work, and is active in her profession. She was the first woman ever elected to the board of di¬ rectors of the state chamber organi¬ zation. Al Fuquay Mrs. Grace Sentcr for 14 months has reigned over a crisp, bright new building in Fuquay-Varina, one of the handsomest Chamber of Commerce offices we have seen. She came here after experience at Corncll- Dublier (electronics plant) and Caro¬ lina Power & Light. She manages a flourishing little chamber which not only owns its own building but has a cash balance besides. Mrs. Sentcr is delighted to have found this new sort of work. "My members arc wonderful," she said. "They are co-operative and enthusi¬ astic. and yet conservative, too." And Fuquay likes its secretary, too. There was praise on all sides for her efficient and energetic administration. Not only that, but membership in the little chamber has risen (in her ad¬ ministration) from 130 to 159. Mrs. Kathryn E. Roc. manager of Siler City's Chamber, has a little dif¬ ferent experience, serving a sort of ap¬ prenticeship under one of the state's most skilled executives. In 1947. after working in other places, she came home and found her town organizing a chamber. She worked as office secretary and when the executive resigned, she was made acting secretary, and George Col- clough. Burlington chamber manager, was employed as advisor. George would come down for meetings and would help handle industrial inquiries. But after three years, the new secre¬ tary was firmly on her feet, and was made permanent secretary. She likes the job — "something in¬ teresting every day." She is serving a 3-year term on the N. C. Associa¬ tion of Chamber of Commerce Secre¬ taries executive board of directors. Mr». W. E. broke I A THE STATE. January 11. 195B