Women of "class" refers to upper class women; it is only they who have it. They view themselves and their children as special and better than others. They are snobs and they know it. They don't want the masses to know it so they pacify them by their so called charity work. There charity work is done to raise money for museums, art institutes, hospitals, clinics, etc. They are careful not to perform any real social change, not wanting to "rock the boat" (Ostrander). They have a bit of unnecessary guilt because they're wealthy, but the shame serves no purpose, because there is no shame in being prosperous.Ms. Ostrander showed supreme objectivity in her writing. The tone of her book is honest and a little sad. This is one of those rare books that is worth reading again and again.