| Description | At the opening of this address, Elizabeth Taylor Cadbury suggests that 'the subject of Citizenship is a favourite topic at the moment'. She states that the aim of her address was to consider the meaning of citizenship, its implications, the responsibilities which it entailed and its limitations, as well as its difficulties and appeal. Taylor Cadbury also refers to historical examples, exploring how the meaning of citizenship differed across cultures and time periods.
Expressing 'national pride', Taylor Cadbury remarks that England was amongst the great civilisations, with men and women devoted to serving their country. She refers to contemporary views of citizenship as embodying 'a moral attitude' or appreciation of justice and emphasises the importance of judgement, mercy and truth and an acceptance of the 'high ideal of Citizenship' taught by Jesus Christ.
Taylor Cadbury considers the role of education in teaching citizenship, both in America and England, referring to the work of the President of the Board of Education Mr. H. A. L. Fisher. Following this, she provides an account of existing opportunities to enter the field of 'National Affairs' such as membership of municipal and county councils, noting particular opportunities for women in 'schemes for developments in the promotion of health and prevention of disease'. Taylor Cadbury's address reveals her maternal approach to women's public service and demonstrates that she based her interpretation of citizenship on practical participation in philanthropic work rather than political recognition. Indeed, Taylor Cadbury remarks that women did not have to be elected members of councils to exercise citizenship. She comments that 'many important Committees have co-opted members who can help in the administrative and detailed work connected with Child Welfare, Public Health, School Medical Service, the care of the Mentally and Physically defective, Housing, and Recreation.' Taylor Cadbury also refers to the important work of the Board of Guardians in terms of Poor Law Administration and prison reform.
Taylor Cadbury suggests that 'decent and industrious citizens' involved in 'honest work' for a livelihood to bring up a family were undertaking 'the first and highest duty of the Citizen who has family responsibilities'. She remarks that this work should be considered 'a form of public service' and considers opportunities to undertake the responsibilities of citizenship through international work.
Taylor Cadbury emphasises the deficit in people willing to 'serve on either voluntary or public bodies'. She encourages more people to become 'engaged in some kind of useful and altruistic work' and advocates a scheme by which people would only be able to serve on a limited number of committees which would encourage a larger percentage of the population to participate in public social service. Taylor Cadbury also emphasises the importance of people voting 'at Municipal and Parliamentary Elections' which she identified was a way by which people exercised 'their Citizen's duty.' She concludes her address by criticising the division between political and municipal groups and condemning class warfare which she suggests was 'opposed utterly to the spirit of our great Social Reformer, Jesus Christ.' |