1914 suffragist is now campaigning for ERA passage=

Continued from Page 6-B state chairman of Independent Citizens for Roosevelt's final reelection, my husband wore Willkie button."

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Two weeks after her husband's death in 1957, Fairview Park Republicans decided Mrs. Irwin would be their first woman councilman. She wasn't receptive to the idea at first. Her son, a political scientist at the University of Colorado, encouraged her and she switched allegiance from the Democratic party.

Then, Mrs. Irwin took a sevenweek Florida vacation and returned to win the election easily.

She quit the city council after her second term because she claimed "I'm too old to start a political career." Besides, she wanted to take a world trip.

Women's "sad record" of political participation after 150 years of suffrage struggle discourages Mrs. Irwin. "After we got the right to vote in 1920, our structure collapsed. There was a demise of leaders and we had a 40-year dormancy.

"By 1950, girls married earlier

than ever before. In 1920, we fought so hard for higher education and 47% of the women went to college. But in 1950, only 35% attended and then, mostly to look for husbands. The birth rate increased and we were in a mess.

"Finally, Betty Friedan lit the candle with her book, "The Feminine Mystique" and women began to stand up again.

"Today, American women have only have one civil right: voting. Every other right is dictated by state legislators. Our laws are unjust. We are still controlled by male relatives in matters like financial and property affairs.

Mrs. Irwin talked about her definite beliefs related to the women's movement:

"I'm upset over the quibbling of chairman to chairwoman. We need some generic terms to denote humanity or mankind. What difference does it make?

"I've stopped taking Ms. magazine. I'm from the old Victorian school and believe it verges on pornography.

"I haven't decided whether it's been a good idea to expose the

shocking rate of homosexuals and lesbians. These things were not discussed until I was an old lady. I can remember going home one night and looking ‘homosexual' up in the dictionary.

"What does Shirley Temple know about being an ambassador? What bothers me is when a

woman receives a governmental position out of courtesy, because her politician-husband dies.

"The men's liberation movement is good, for some are gentle souls. Men have been victims of social conditioning, living in a cocoon of personal interests.

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"And what exactly is a male chauvinist? A very inaccurate term."

Her final advice to young feminists is: Actively participate in political life. Support candidates who support your issues, regardless of party affiliation. Moral conscious-

ness may be raised by religion.

"I think I'll build a monument to Elizabeth Ray," Mrs. Irwin said. "Although I don't condone her actions, she has done mor than anyone to expose the sexua corruption of our male politi cians."

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