Its motto was "Dienen lerne bei Zeiten das Weib nach seiner Bestimmung" (A woman should learn to serve according to her purpose as quickly as possible).
It was agreed to aim at adapting itself to existing institutions, rather than creating a school for more highly educated future generations.
[4] The Lette-Verein was designed as a handful of societies, all closely knit together, located in the same premises, and with the same main object, namely, the promotion of women's education, the improvement of the working capacities of those who are self-dependent.
Besides the trade school, there was the Victoria Stift, a foundation offering a temporary home to ladies of limited means; a bazaar for the sale of work; a registry for women in search of employment; a loan society; a lending library, and a school for servants, factory girls, and others seeking self-improvement.
The studies included linear and freehand drawing, geometry, colouring, ornamental design, flower-painting, china-painting, and modelling.
There were classes for dressmaking, machine-sewing, the cutting-out of linen, the manufacture of artificial flowers, glove-making, millinery, and hair-dressing.
Candidates for admission had to be at least 16 years of age, must have received a good education, and must have had sufficient means of support for the first six months, during which they earned nothing.