Women in the Great War - World War I
World War I was the first war in which American women were recruited to serve in the military. Women were already present in France as members of the American Red Cross and as canteen workers, but for the most part, French and Belgian women staffed American military offices.
In October 1917 the new American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) telephone system was put in place, but the American soldiers and the French women working as telephone operators were unable to communicate. The need for bilingual telephone operators precipitated the recruitment of American women.
Captured Army and Navy Nurses to be Supported by Red Cross - 1918
If any Army or Nary nurses are captured by the Germans, the American Red Cross will support them during captivity. This decision follows closely upon the announcement that, under the law the pay of Army nurses.
Girl Patriots At Great Lakes - 1919
Over in one of the largest regiments at Great Lakes, the fifteenth is located the workshop for twelve intrepid young ladies. Intrepid because they all left good homes and came “west” because America needed them.
Homes Wanted For American Women in France - 1918
The demand in France for the YWCA and its warm, efficient hospitality grew completely out of bounds in the days before peace was declared. By cable came a series of desperate pleas.
Navy Women of World War One - 1972
The Establishment of Yeoman (f), better known as the Yeomanette, was accomplished under the provisions of an Act of 29 Aug 1916, which set up the Naval Reserve Force.
The Symbol of Service to Mankind – The American Red Cross - 1918
Hence its canteens, and rest stations, and all its cooperation with the government, with YMCA, and with all other war agencies, to render the soldier life as tolerable, as comforting, and as heartening as possible.
Emergency detachments of the Nursing Service have been found necessary because of war. The body of enrolled Red Cross nurses constitutes the reserve for the Army and Navy Nurse Corps.
The Red Cross Organization During The War - 1918
USN First Enlisted Women: Introduction
I am honored to contribute The Navy’s First Enlisted Women: Patriotic Pioneers to the Naval History and Heritage Command’s (NHHC) commemoration publications for World War I.
USN First Enlisted Women: Setting the Stage - 2019
This chapter provides essential context for the history of the Navy’s first enlisted women. It highlights sharp contrasts our founding principles, democratic values, justification for war, and the treatment of women and African Americans.
USN First Enlisted Women: “Women Join the Navy”
Over 11,000 women from every state, American territory, and the District of Columbia volunteered to enlist into the United States Navy to free male Sailors for combat duties.
USN First Enlisted Women: “Reporting to Work”
The Navy’s first enlisted women worked at naval commands across the United States and overseas, supported Allied operations and campaigns, and contributed directly to the Allied victory.
USN First Enlisted Women: “Changing the World, Their Lives, and the Navy”
Despite their invaluable service, yeomen (F.) had to fight for the rights and benefits they deserved. Post-war developments mirrored pre-war beliefs about military women and a lack of respect for them.
USN First Enlisted Women: Conclusion
Though enlisted primarily to provide clerical support, they excelled in munitions assembly, intelligence, cable decoding, recruitment, and other non-administrative specialties.
USN First Enlisted Women: Epilogue
The yeomen (F.) enhanced the legacy of the women who had previously supported the nation during wars, conflicts, and crises, and set an example for those who followed them.
US Signal Corps Unit At Headquarters - 1918
The third telephone unit of the signal corps of the United States Army is ready to start for “Some place in France.”
War Work of the Hostess House Committee - 1919
The total number of hostess houses for which the committee assumed responsibility for November 1, 1919, is 124. Of these, 17 have been for [African-American] visitors.
War Work of Young Women's Christian Association - 1918
From the beginning, the War Work Council planned to include not only American women affected by the war, but because of the pleas from France and Russia, the first budget contained an item for work in Europe.
What Peace Means To The YWCA - 1918
We have whole nations to feed, entire peoples to clothe, and the most stupendous task of economic reconstruction the world has ever seen.
Women Marines in World War I - 1974
When it was discovered that there was a sizable number of battle-ready Marines still doing clerical work in the United States who were urgently needed overseas, the Corps turned in desperation to the female business world.
A Yeomenette Story From the Great War
The new enlisted women could become yeomen, electricians (radio operators), or any other ratings necessary to the naval district operations. The majority became yeomen and were designated as yeomen (f) for female yeomen.
