Richland Women Mobilize for War Effort
Local women form a Red Cross auxiliary, securing a permanent headquarters to sew supplies and support the war effort.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
A large number of women attended a mass meeting in the city park on Friday afternoon to form an auxiliary of the Red Cross. The meeting was a stirring success, marked by deep enthusiasm and valuable suggestions. Mrs. M. K. Page, who has considerable acquaintance with national Red Cross leaders, gave an inspiring talk. Election of officers resulted in: Mrs. T. J. Chalcraft, president; Mrs. H. E. Compton, vice president; Miss Evalyn Yedica, secretary; and Miss Marie Dresser, treasurer. The unit has secured the Wheelhouse storeroom as a headquarters, which will be open daily for sewing. A $25 donation from a local business man provided the initial funds for materials.
“There is no woman in Richland who can afford to miss this opportunity... as she can tell us more in a minute than we can learn in a week from writing letters.”
This mobilization mirrors the grassroots organizing seen in modern mutual aid efforts. It highlights the gendered division of labor in 1917, where women were expected to 'do their bit' through volunteer sewing and community support while men focused on enlistment and fundraising.
From readers
No comments yet. If you know something about this story — a correction, a family memory, a source — it belongs here.