18 WOMEN IN LIFE INSURANCE EDITION; INSURANCE ADVOCATE January 27, 192a
presented itself to her mind, and it
was then that the vision of Life Insurance presented itself to her "If she only had Life Insurance to tide her over."
"It was at this time," said Mrs. Fitzgerald," that I decided I would take out a policy as soon as I had recovered sufficiently to pass the examination, which I did, and the more I thought of what it would do in my case, the more convinced I became that it would be a wondeful life's work for me to tell others what it would do for then..
My first thought was to provide protection for myself and child for ten years, bringing my daughter to the years where she could provide for herself and take up her life work.
My vision at that time seemed to stop at ten years; but as time went on, I reasoned with myself, asking myself—"What may happen in these ten years? Why not provide for the possibility of my being taken from her, and why not provide for the possibility of my being spared to her with many more years than ten? Why not provide for her against some misfortune to her, and w:iy not provide for myself for the years when I can-not support myself and may have to be dependent on my daughter, or some one else to care for me? 'Twas then the wonderful provisions of Life Insurance gripped me and my vision passed way beyond the ten year limit, and great possibilities loomed up
before me. I found the solution to all these problems in the opportunities held out by Life Insurance—I became saturated with the idea that Life Insurance was the greatest help to humanity; to little children; to widowed mothers; to earnest students; to struggling as well as successful business men; and I felt as though I MUST give my life to this work.
My first experience writing Life Insurance was not very pleasant, but I made the best of it for a period of three months until I had gained some experience; studying at nights and soliciting during the day; finally my chance came and I launched out for myself. The Security Mutual Life Insurance Company wanted a Manager for East Tennessee, and although I had limited experience, my faith led me to apply for the position, with the result of acceptance and a very happy woman, ready to do her best.
My success at the outstart was very gratifying to me, and must have been to the Home Office as they acknowledged it in terms that were an inspiration to me, giving me a desire to strive for greater things.
My greatest record was made in June, 1922, when prizes were offered to the General Agent, who during this month, would make the largest increase over a specified allotment. I was ambitious to do my best, but had no idea that I was ac-
complishing the result that would place me THIRD in the contest, with 44% increase, being $22,000 over my allotment."
Speaking of the reasons for her success, Mrs. Fitzgerald said she felt it was due to her faith in the virtue of life insurance, and her be-lief in it as an investment that brought returns in an emergency and gave best value for every dollar in-vested. The fact that she was trying, indirectly, to especially interest me in the work, led to her telling me of the great opportunities that it offers to ambitious women.
I think I can voice this best, when I say in my own way, that Mrs. Fitzgerald's vision is so big and so far reaching, so full of desire to help humanity in general, and women who need help in particular, that she feels as though it should appeal to all, as it appealed to her, as a life work. Personally, I believe she has touched the main-spring when she tells her life story, as to why she believes there are opportunities in the profession of life insurance for women.
Not all women have the ability to-convince, the power to win and do all this gifted woman does, but it is a fact, that none of us 7cnow what we can do, until we try, and if in trying, we get the vision, there is no doubt but that each one could accomplish surprising things in her own individual way.
Forging Ahead of Women in Busines World Gives New Prospects to Women Agents
By Sara L. Miller, Fidelity Mutual Life at Atlantic City
There is no doubt whatever in my are open-minded, sincere, and worth-
while. It is a pleasure to serve the many splendid women met in the clay's work. The successful women are of a high type, because only the highest type can survive the severe struggle that is necessary to combat the traditions, prejudices, and shackles of custom. She must first break down the barriers of a man-made world before she may even attempt to work in the same field with man. The weak go under in the fight.
The woman as a prospect is becoming a desirable one because she is rapidly filling positions that are lu crative. Her earnings are increasing to a figure beyond what is required for maintenance, and she is looking about for a safe investment. She is more conservative than a man, and seldom gives the excuse quite common among men, "I can invest my money to better advantage than the insurance company can do it for me."
She is not in all cases interested merely because of the savings feature. In many instances she is the sole support of mother or younger
brother or sisters, and is interested for the protective feature. The disability clause has a strong appeal to the woman who is earning her living, for she fears the loss of earning power though accident or disease.
At a recent convention of the company I represent, I told the men who were speaking of assuring an income to a woman by means of installment payments of life insurance proceeds, that I am teaching the women to pro-vide an income for old age by their own efforts, for it has been clearly demonstrated that matrimony does not guarantee financial independence. The latter argument is particularly useful in dealing with the young woman who is about to take the fatal step. When she says, as she frequently does, "How am I going to pay my premiums when I get married, "I say, "You are too sensible a young woman to marry a man whose income will not permit you to save a few dollars a week, and if you should in a rash moment commit such an error, you will soon be back on the job." They are doing it now.
Until four years ago, the school room was my abiding place. I had reached the zenith of opportunity for women in the public schools, the position of principal of an elementary school. The prospect of years of routine was so appalling that it was unendurable. In June, 1918, the bal-
mind that there is a splendid future for the woman in the life insurance profession. The forging ahead of the
woman in the business world is bringing to her a group of prospects that
SARA L. MILLER
