World War One

World War One

World War One was a historically remarkable war. Around 8.9 million men were involved with this war, and stationed in Europe. From this war, 908,000 were killed and 2 million were wounded, creating a great demand for healthcare providers. In result, over 21,000 women worked as Army nurses in military hospitals in the United States and overseas.  In addition, there were almost 1,500 Navy Nurses stationed all over as well. Girls as young as sixteen years old were recruited as nurses. It was reported that more than 400 military nurses were killed in action. The biggest reason for the death of nurses was influenza.

Two major women's groups came about during WW1: the VAD (Voluntary Aid Attachment) and FANY (First Aid Nursing Yeomanry). Both were in great demand for volunteers. The VAD provided services in laundry, cooking, and cleaning. VAD volunteers were not paid, solely because it was a volunteer service. FANY volunteers contributed their time by providing basis health care, including cleaning the rooms of wounded soldiers, driving ambulances and dealing with deceased bodies.

Another well known organization was the Red Cross. The Red Cross had many duties: to recruit male soldiers, knit socks, and of course, work in military hospitals. One thing to note was that these women were not professionals in the healthcare field, but because the demand for help was so high, they were allowed to join this organization with limited experience. The Red Cross is still a prevalent organization today.

Other popular employment opportunities for women during WW1 included: transportation of trams, buses, and trains, plane mechanics, shipyards workers, and ammunition factory workers. Working in ammunition factories were quite dangerous due to the chemicals that could potentially cause explosions. Women with exposed skin in these factories often found that their skin would turn a yellowish color due to a chemical called sulphur.

It was very common to see in the ads or newspapers help wanted for a variety of jobs. Many were actually looking for women employees only, something women had not yet experienced before. Women provided impressive skills during such a huge crisis. An article discussing women of this time period stated, "They are our private soldiers". Without women's involvement in this war, the outcome of the first World War could have been dramatically altered. 

References

Prints and Photographs Online Catalog. (Photographer). (1919). What can you do? join our red cross membership. [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/00651753/

Women in world war one. (2002). Retrieved from    http://www.sachem.edu/schools/seneca/socialstudies/guttman/per5/roleofwomen/link1.htm

University of Washington. (2003). Seattle general strike project. Retrieved from http://depts.washington.edu/labhist/strike/kim.shtml

Zazzle. (Photographer). (n.d.). Knit your bit: American red cross poster. [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.zazzle.com/knit_your_bit_american_red_cross_poster-228856592922057805

The Spanish-American War

The Spanish-American War

The Spanish-American War was particularly short, compared to most wars. The end result was that America gained the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico. Women during this war participated in the U.S Army Nurse Corps., but there are no records of women in the U.S Navy or Marine Corps. The U.S Navy Nurse Corps. was not established until 1909, about a decade after the Spanish-American War. The Army nurses of this war were of primary importance due to the spread of diseases like Yellow Fever, Malaria, and deadly infections.

The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) was created around this time period, which gave women the opportunity to express their patriotic freedom. According to the Women in Military Service For America Memorial Foundation Inc., "A woman named Dr. Anita Newcomb McGee suggested to the Army Surgeon General that the DAR be appointed to select professionally qualified nurses to serve under contract to the U.S Army" (section 5). In result, 1500 nurses were stationed to many hospitals at war sites. It was reported that at least 20 of these women were killed on duty. Eventually, Dr. McGee was promoted as Acting Assistant Surgeon General- the first woman to ever hold this position.

                                       

Not only were women involved with nursing, they were also journalists. Journalism was a very popular career many women had during this time period. In fact, according to the National Women's History Museum, the 1900 census stated that there was 30,098 female journalists (p. 28). Some famous female journalists during the Spanish-American War were Anna Northend Benjamin and Mrs. Trumball White. Both women went to Cuba to cover the news of the war. Mrs. Trumball White, journalist for the Chicago Record, actually signed on as a Red Cross Nurse in order to get an insider scoop first hand in Cuba.

References

National Women's History Museum. (2007). Women report on the american-spanish war. Retrieved from http://www.nwhm.org/online-exhibits/womenwithdeadlines/wwd27.htm

(n.d.). Army nurse corps, nurse needed now. [Print Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.blujay.com/item/WWII-US-ARMY-Nurse-Corps-Nurses-Needed-NOW-1040302-2221407

University of Toledo Army ROTC Nursing. (Photographer). (2010). Retrieved from http://www.toledoarmyrotc.org/about/nursing/

Women in Military Service For America Memorial Foundation Inc. (n.d.). Highlights in the history of military women. Retrieved from http://www.womensmemorial.org/Education/timeline.html

The Civil War

The Civil War

During the Civil War Era, most women were still confined to their domestic lifestyles, however, some were becoming more educated, more demanding of their personal rights as citizens, and more self-sufficient. When men entered the war, many women took on factory jobs to keep a steady income for their families at home. Women pursed education, especially for medical professions, because they were discouraged to go into most other jobs. According to "Women in the Civil War" by Mary Massey, "When the Civil War started, there were many licensed females physicians. Two well-known physicians are Emily Blackwell and Mary Walker" (p. 10). Another well known profession for women was teaching, but even in that profession they were discriminated against because most schools preferred male teachers. Emma Willard protested against this by opening up a women's teaching academy, to train female teachers and to make them so qualified, they would look better than their male competitors.


In addition to the medical field and education, women during the Civil War began to using writing as a way of life that allowed them to express themselves. The author of Uncle Tom's Cabin was a woman named Harriet Beecher Stowe. This book sold over 300,000 copies, was translated into 10 different languages, and influenced a lot of individuals on anti-slavery.One of the only ways a woman could voice her opinion on slavery was through writing.

Northern women started many anti-slavery and women's right crusades. The biggest issues women were fighting for included: property rights, legal-guardian rights over their children, equal wages, and more liberal divorce laws. Many women during this time period also became more involved in politics. The would read the newspapers and even attend speeches related to the election and political discussions. 

Many women, (especially Southern women), felt it was their duty to encourage the men in their family to enlist in the war. Women also made it their duty to collect donations from wealthy businessmen to fund supplies such as food, clothing, and medical equipment that the men needed during war. In addition women ran places for passing war soldiers to stay at called Refreshment Saloons in the North or Wayside Homes in the South. At these lodging places a soldier could receive a meal or medical help. 

Massey notes that this "Cooper Shop Refreshment Saloon dispensed more than 80,000 dollars worth of supplies and 600,000 meals" (p. 36). Making a huge difference to many soldiers.

References

Lai, C. L. (Designer). (2006). Uncle tom's cabin. [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://bookcoverarchive.com/book/the_annotated_uncle_toms_cabin

Massey, M. E. (1994). Women in the civil war. University of      Nebraska Press. Retrieved from http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=iMOXnAboxV4C&oi=fnd&pg=PA3&dq=women in the civil war&ots=g1ntIOd14Y&sig=EJWYa2JbwpwZ7DI7DvPHpdXe32o 

Sheaff, R. D. (Designer). (n.d.). Cooper shop volunteer refreshment saloon and hospital . [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.sheaff-ephemera.com/list/advertising-covers/cooper-shop-volunteer-refre.html

The American Revolution

  The American Revolution

During this time period, women were an essential part of the home. Their primary duties included that of cooking, cleaning, and childbearing/rearing. However, while men were out fighting, women filled voids at home as best as they could. This included farming or maintaining family businesses. In order to avoid bankruptcy, women had to save money as best as they could while the men in their families were away. In addition, some military uniforms and food were provided by women at home spinning clothes and/or harvesting crops. This poem exemplifies what was expected of women during this time period: 

Young ladies in town, and those that live round,
Let a friend at this season advise you:
Since money's so scarce, and times growing worse,
Strange things may soon hap and surprize you;
First then, throw aside your high top knots of pride,
Wear none but your own country linnen,
Of Oeconomy boast, let your pride be the most
To show clothes of your own make and spinning.

What, if homespun they say is not quite so gay
As brocades, yet be not in a passion,
For when once it is known this is much wore in town,
One and all will cry out, 'tis the fashion!
And as one, all agree that you'll not married be
To such as will wear London Fact'ry:
But at first sight refuse, tell em such you do chuse
As encourage our own Manufact'ry

No more Ribbons wear, nor in rich dress appear,
Love your country much better than fine things,
Begin without passion, twill soon be the fashion
To grace your smooth locks with a twine string,
Throw aside your Bohea, and your green Hyson tea,
And all things with a new fashion duty;
Procure a good store of the choice Labradore,
For there'll soon be enough here to suit ye;

These do without fear and to all you'll appear
Fair, charming, true, lovely and cleaver;
Tho' the times remain darkish, young men may be sparkish
And love you much stronger than ever.

– "Young Ladies in Town," Boston Newsletter (1769

As far as the war was concerned, "Women worked as nurses, spies, army cooks, and occasionally even soldiers" (p. 3). However, these women soldiers were not allowed to be considered soldiers, but rather "camp followers". As camp followers, these women were still given a small wage for their work, but were still exposed to harsh conditions. Other women who were not overly feminine in appearance, snuck into the ranks and were thought to be true male soldiers. One of the most well known individuals for this was Deborah Samson. 

Deborah was enlisted by Capt. Ephalet Thorp on May 20, 1782. She fought multiple battles during this time until she caught a fever. After being checked by a physician, Sampson's identity was revealed, causing her to be discharged from the Army. There were several other women like Deborah who snuck into the ranks, but because they used fictitious names, it is harder to identify their mark on history. 

References:

Courtney, G. (1999). Women in the american revolution. Retrieved from http://www2.lhric.org/spbattle/wohist.html

Independence Hall Association. (2008). The revolution on the home front. Retrieved from http://www.ushistory.org/us/11e.asp

Jeffery, V. Retrieving the american past. Boston: Pearson Learning Solution. 

National Women's History Museum. (n.d.). Deborah samson. [Print Photo]. Retrieved from http:www.nwhm.org/education-resources/biography/biographies/deborah-sampson/