FIRST IMPRESSIONS

ARTICLE

By Margaret Elizabeth

Editor's Note: The following short article is reprinted from the Beau- mont Bulletin, the publication of our FPE affiliated sister organization in England. It is reproduced here because it not only gives a little "hands across the sea" flavor but because in its latter half it has a strangely beautiful quality seldom expressed in letters printed here.

As a new member of only a few weeks duration I may be a little rash in rushing into print in my comments on the Society while I am still standing on its fringe. However there are, I know, many others like myself who have made contact through the 'Observer' letter, (a letter in The London Observer by Pamela — organizer of the Beaumont Society

following an interview of mine printed in The Observer. Many English girls saw this letter and made contact with the Society. — Ed) and may be burning to discuss the subject that is do dear to all of us, but which has been bottled up so long by our enforced hermit-like existence. Appeals for contributions to the Bulletin should be answered, for this is not only our journal but provides us with a unique opportunity to make our thoughts known to each other.

So far I have made my first personal contacts and read the 'Introduc- tion' and the last two copies of the Bulletin. These have been exciting experiences, for it is like the bursting out of a chrysalis, even though I shall never myself be much of a painted butterfly. Introduction to this strange new world, and its social contacts, does inevitably raise ques- tions in the mind as to the purpose of such a society. To try to answer these questions is one of the objects of this letter.

One objective has already been defined in the letter sent to new appli- cants: it is to promote social contacts between members. This is not only of great personal importance it is the first essential step in creating a body of individuals who might be able to take some effective action.

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