ABSTRACT
Atlanta business men and women participated in civic activities that broadly aimed to improve the city’s economy and fulfilled implied social responsibilities. Businessmen gained appreciably from the kind of civicism sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. The Atlanta businessman promoted educational programs and employment bureaus as a means to extend the city’s occupational opportunities to its citizens. Business women’s programs focused on preparing young women for business careers through training. Between 1910 and 1920, southern business leaders grappled with ways to advance their cities but avoid the pitfalls experienced by rapid urbanization. Business leaders recognized that frequent annexations and divided interests caused chaotic city growth, which in turn threatened economic, political, and social control. Businessmen’s influence in public education programs exemplifies how business leaders applied civicism to serve their best interests and what roles they allowed women’s organizations to take. Businessmen supported educators’ efforts to establish business curricula in public schools and encouraged young women to enroll.
