March is Women’s History Month. This year it coincides with our ongoing commemoration of the World War I Centennial. Did you know the extent to which DAR members tirelessly worked on behalf of war relief both during and after the Great War?
With American men mobilized to fight, some American women took advantage of their first opportunity in American history to enlist in the armed services during wartime. Thousands of women joined the Army as nurses—or the Navy or Marine Corps as yeomen. Approximately 260 DAR members went abroad to perform war service; an additional 125 DAR members enlisted but were not called up.
While some women acquired employment in traditionally male jobs to help ease the labor shortage caused by men going overseas to fight, the majority of women’s involvement during the war was accomplished through voluntary organizations that supported the war effort.