Richland Women Mobilize for the Red Cross
As the United States prepares for war, the women of Richland organize a sewing effort to supply hospital garments for the Spokane Red Cross.
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The women of Richland expect to demonstrate to the general public that a community, no matter how small, can do its share toward showing its patriotism and helping out in these strenuous war times. Mrs. C. D. Hopper is in receipt of a letter from the Red Cross Society of Spokane, requesting information as to just how much sewing the women of Richland can be counted on to do, and as Mrs. Hopper is a strong believer in boosting home talent she immediately informed them that the ladies here were capable of turning out 150 suits of pajamas and 150 night gowns to be used in the hospitals. A. L. Nelson has kindly permitted the ladies to use the building formerly occupied by the postoffice and sewing machines will be moved in there at once.
“We cannot go and fight but we can do good work at home to make more comfortable those who are wounded in defense of their country.”
This mobilization effort captures the immediate civilian response to WWI in the Tri-Cities area, reflecting how local communities became extensions of the war effort through volunteer manufacturing.
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