The Women of Southwest Minnesota and the Great War - Anita Talsma Gaul
This program explores how the women of this region contributed to the war effort during WWI in expected and also unexpected ways. Women living in Southwest Minnesota overwhelmingly supported World War I by joining the Red Cross, participating in the US Food Administration food conservation campaign, or by serving as nurses. However, some women used the opportunity to challenge traditional gender roles and take jobs usually held by men such as working as field hands, as railroad depot agents, or forming Minnesota's only all-female Home Guard unit. Winning the "great war for democracy" was due, in no small part, to the efforts of America's women, and this includes the efforts put forth by the women living in Southwest Minnesota. 2018 is also the 100th Anniversary of Armistice Day and this is a good program to share information about World War I with the community.
12 participated
Community members will gain knowledge about the roles women in our area took during WWI. Community members may learn a greater appreciation for women, especially those who worked in our area during WWI. New bits of history will be learned when Anita shares about the roles of the women during the war. Anecdotal responses will be collected.
Community members gained knowledge about the roles of women in our area during WWI. They also learned about the clothing worn by women during that era and how and why the clothing changed during and just after the war. Anita shared some history about the war, about the area, and about women and men and their roles before, during, and after the war.
KLGR Radio, Redwood Gazette, Friends of the Library, Lamberton, Morgan and Wabasso Libraries