[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 176 (Wednesday, November 8, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2132]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO THE WOMEN'S EXCHANGE

                                 ______


                          HON. JAMES M. TALENT

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, November 8, 1995

  Mr. TALENT. Mr. Speaker, it is with pleasure and a great degree of 
pride that I draw to your attention the accomplishments of the Women's 
Exchange, a volunteer organization in the St. Louis area, dedicated to 
the mission of helping others help themselves.
  Established in 1883, the Women's Exchange was founded by a group of 
volunteers to help women support themselves and their families by 
working out of the home. In an era when males dominated the work force, 
the Women's Exchange provided a marketplace where creative women could 
display and sell their products, while still allowing them to be at 
home to educate and raise their children. The organization also offered 
working women inexpensive lunches, and a library of resources, all in 
an effort to enable women to earn their own living and provide an 
atmosphere to change the tide.
  Over the past 112 years, the need has not subsided nor has this 
organization's fine service and devotion to quality. They remain 
faithful to the founders' mission to help people help themselves by 
continuing to provide training and quality materials to their 
consignors. Approximately 100 families are supported by Women's 
Exchange consignors, many of whom receive up to 100 percent of the 
profit from the sale of their goods. Today, under the direction of 
president Mary Fort, the St. Louis Women's Exchange is the largest 
chapter in the National Federation of Women's Exchanges. They now 
operate a tearoom in addition to the gift shop which helps attract 
customers for the consignor merchandise and generates income to 
maintain the shop's excellence and professionalism.
  Mr. Speaker, it is an honor and a privilege for me to recognize this 
fine organization. I commend the Women's Exchange on its first 100 
years of service and dedication to the St. Louis community and wish 
them well on 100 more.

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