At the time of the First World War, most women were barred from voting or serving in military combat roles. Many saw the war as an opportunity to not only serve their countries but to gain more rights and independence. With millions of men away from home, women filled manufacturing and agricultural positions on the home front. Others provided support on the front lines as nurses, doctors, ambulance drivers, translators and, in rare cases, on the battlefield. Click here to read more about how American women mobilized for the war effort a century ago.

The American Legion organization’s 55 departments and nearly 12,500 posts across the country and around the world are celebrating a century of service to community, state and nation that began in Paris March 15-17, 1919, when war-weary members of the American Expeditionary Forces gathered for a “morale conference” that led to the creation of what would become The American Legion. Only 300 troops were expected to attend. Officially, 463 registered. Some have estimated that more than 1,000 came and went, with or without orders, during the weekend that launched a century of accomplishments unforeseeable, if not unimaginable, at the time. Click here to read more about how a chaotic and informal wartime meeting was the genesis of the nation’s largest veterans organization a century ago this month.

In order to fill severe clerical shortages caused by World War I, the U.S. Navy approved the enlistment of women in 1917. The Naval Reserve Act of 1916 made no specific gender requirements for yeomen, enlisted personnel who fulfill administrative and clerical duties. So either by deliberate omission or accident, the act opened the opportunity to enlist women. One of the first through the door on March 17, 1917 was Loretta Perfectus Walsh, who became the first active-duty female in the Navy who wasn’t a nurse. The newly-enlisted Sailors were given the rating Yeoman (F), with the “F” designating female. More popularly referred to as “yeomanettes,” the majority worked in clerical positions, but they also served as translators, draftsmen, fingerprint experts, ship camouflage designers and recruiting agents. Click here to read more about how these women pioneers in military service set the standard for all who followed.

The Centennial Commission’s efforts in the area of Education are among our most important endeavors. Ultimately, the mission of the Centennial Commission is to educate people, especially our coming generations, as the stories and lessons of World War I are their inheritance. We are thrilled to help our Education Department to roll out a new tool for educators — a brief video entitled “Who We Were”, which helps to describe the various resources available to teachers and students of World War I. We spoke with our friend Ryan Hegg about the new video. Ryan has long been with the Centennial Commission as a volunteer and as a staffer, and he was part of the production of this new video.

Pvt. Walter Beagles arrived at Camp Jackson, South Carolina, in 1918, an African American draftee in a segregated Army that relegated black soldiers to labor battalions out of a prejudiced notion that they couldn’t fight. More than 100 years later, his great-grandson now serves as the base’s 51st commanding general. Brig. Gen. Milford Beagle, Jr., a combat veteran who took command last June, admits that it gets to him, knowing he’s serving where his ancestor served but under vastly different circumstances. “It does become pretty surreal to know that the gates my great-grandfather came through are the same gates I come through,” Beagle said. Click here to read this entire fascinating article about a family’s World War I saga.

Some sixth graders at Providence Middle School in Chesterfield County are getting a hands-on history lesson thanks to dozens of century-old letters from World War I.  Every other day Ms. Jennifer Covais’ students arrive to crunch numbers as they immerse themselves in the past using authentic dispatches written from war-torn France during WW I. The author, Johnny Cawthra, was a disabled clerk with American Express who could not serve in the military because he was blind in one eye. “They love writing. It’s an elective. It is an honors writing class,” Covais said. “I like to make memories with my kids.”  Click here to read more about (and watch the video of) how students are transcribing Cawthra’s observations that range from his visits with wounded soldiers in a hospital and watching President Wilson to witnessing the ravages of war.

In March 8th’s edition of the World War I Centennial News Podcast, Episode 113, host Theo Mayer spoke with Jim Theres, executive producer of ‘The Hello Girls,’ about the remarkable history of these women and his acclaimed film highlighting their service. Just this month, Theres received a special recognition award at the Army Women’s Foundation Hall of Fame induction ceremony, for spotlighting America’s first female soldiers. Click here to read a transcript of this entire interview, and find out where you can see the Hello Girls movie yourself.

The WW1 Centennial News Podcast is about WW1 THEN: 100 years ago this week, and it’s about WW1 NOW: News and updates about the centennial and the commemoration. 

Available on our web site, iTunes, Google Play, Podbean, TuneIn, Stitcher Radio on Demand.  Spotify  listen on Youtube. New – Comment and ask questions via twitter @TheWW1podcast

Episode #114
The Great War / Great Depression Connection

Host – Theo Mayer
100 Years Ago This Week – Host | @ 02:00

Imperialism at the Peace Conference – Mike Shuster | @ 10:55

The Great War and the Great Depression Connection – Prof. Maury Klein | @ 15:15

A Pioneering American Woman Doctor in WWI – Dr. Edward Lengel | @ 22:30

No Seat at the Table: Ireland – Host | @ 26:55

“Official Bulletin” Back Online – Host | @ 30:05

Cantata: And Crimson Roses Once Again Be Fair – Alejandro Valdez & Joseph Turrin | @ 32:55

Winner: 2019 Canine Hero of the Year – Host | @ 41:15

Speaking WWI: Dog Fight | @ 42:35

Army of Shadows

By Roxana Robinson

When award-winning author Roxana Robinson was writing her critically acclaimed book about a veteran of the Iraq war, “Sparta”, she only allowed herself to read one war novel: Erich Maria Remarque’s “All Quiet on the Western Front”.
For Robinson, it “beautifully resolves the problems of scale and language” with a narrative that is “both beautiful and desolate.”
Read Robinson’s reflections on contemporary war writing through the lens of Remarque’s WWI classic novel at WWrite this week!

Where do we go from here, girls?

BEHIND THEIR LINES examines American women’s responses to the changes in society that followed World War I.

Morning Java Candle Mug

These replica tin mugs have been upcycled from regular coffee mugs into coffee candles.

The “Morning Java” scent will fill the room with a wonderful coffee aroma that includes just a hint of chocolate.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this item is designated for completing the National WWI Memorial in Washington D.C.

This and many other items are available as Official Merchandise of the United States World War One Centennial.

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A brand-new “Great Women Sculpture Initiative” (GWSI), which aims to change the way women are portrayed in sculpture, is celebrating female leadership in human rights, civil rights, and women’s rights. The sculptor for the national World War I Memorial in Washington, DC, Sabin Howard, is a key player in the movement. Howard and his associates have started the process to create a body of work of female sculptures to be shown as a traveling exhibit to museums. A book and documentary about the process of creation will follow.  Click here to read the entire Architectural Digest article about this women-focused artistic effort.

Attorney Mark Hough (left), who succeeded in 1978 in lobbying for Congressional recognition for the Hello Girls’ military service, nearly fifty years after their return from WWI, was one of three people recognized by the U.S. Army Women’s Foundation as they inducted, collectively, the U.S. Army Telephone Operators of World War I — AKA the “Hello Girls” — into the Army Women’s Hall of Fame March 7th on Capitol Hill. Along with Hough, also recognized were Elizabeth Cobbs, author of the definitive “Hello Girls” book, and Jim Theres, director of the award-winning documentary, “The Hello Girls”. Click here to read more about the ceremonies honoring the Hello Girls, and the three special partners of the United States World War I Centennial Commission in the Task Force for gaining Congressional Gold Medal recognition for the Hello Girls.

Also last week, Elizabeth Cobbsbrought the Hello Girls message to a broader public audience. Cobbs published an OpEd in the Washington Post that urged Congress to support the measure introduced by Senators Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) to honor the women of the WWI U.S. Army Signal Corps Signal Corps with the Congressional Gold Medal.  Click here to read the OpEd and find out more about the proposed Congressional Gold Medal.

A restored World War I memorial in Hudson, Ohio recognizes 81 veterans of Great War, with help from U.S. World War I Centennial Commission partner reenactors Seth and Garrett Moore. The restoration of this memorial was part of the Commission’s 100 Cities/100 Memorials program. Click here to read more about the unveiling of the restored bronze tablet containing the names of 80 men and one woman from Hudson who served in World War I.

The Navy celebrates the centennial of the Board of Decorations and Medals. Founded March 6, 1919, the board was established by order of then-Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels to standardize the awarding of medals to service members for extraordinary acts of heroism or distinguished service. The Board was established following the World War I Armistice, and Congress’ creation in February 1919 of two new decorations: The Navy Cross and the Navy Distinguished Service Medal. Click here to read more about how the century-old Board of Decorations and Medals “guarantees authenticity of the high tributes we bestow on our Nation’s warfighters.”

A new Exhibit opening today at the National World War I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, MO looks at the challenging transition for American armed forces personnel from War-time duty to civilian life after World War I through archival materials. The U.S. government offered financial, vocational and social resources to the nearly 5 million servicemen and women who began demobilizing in 1919 after nearly half served overseas in the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF). Click here to read more about this new look at the government and private efforts 100 years ago to the assist returning veteran’s in becoming a “civvie” again.

In March 8th’s edition of the World War I Centennial News Podcast, Episode 113, host Theo Mayer spoke with writer Elizabeth Foxwell about stories and experiences of female service in WWI, many of which have been neglected or forgotten. Foxwell, a journalist and author focusing on the stories and neglected accounts of and by women who served in various roles in the war. Click here to read a transcript of the entire interview.

The WW1 Centennial News Podcast is about WW1 THEN: 100 years ago this week, and it’s about WW1 NOW: News and updates about the centennial and the commemoration.  Available on our web site, iTunes, Google Play, Podbean, TuneIn, Stitcher Radio on Demand.  Spotify  listen on Youtube. New – Comment and ask questions via twitter @TheWW1podcast

Episode 113
Highlights: Women’s Diverse Roles

Host – Theo Mayer

100 Years Ago This Week – Host | @02:15

Getting to a League Of Nations Draft – Mike Shuster | @10:35

Being Hospitalized in France – Dr. Edward Lengel | @14:30

“Digital Technology and the Sculptor’s Art” Part 2 – Host | @20:50

Courtesy of the author: Traci Slatton

K9 Veterans Day and Our Poll | @35:15

Women’s Diverse Roles in WWI – Elizabeth Foxwell | @37:15

Hello Girls Documentary Update – Jim Theres | @45:05

Writing in the Post-War World of Agatha Christie

By Christopher Huang

Agatha Christie has won the world over with her fabulous detective novels and her star character, Hercule Poirot.

Less renowned is her time in WWI as a nurse, an experience that, without a doubt, inspired her narrative universe. Christopher Huang, the author of A Gentleman’s Murder, a detective story about a murder in a gentlemen’s club of British 1914-1918 veterans, discusses the influence of WWI on Agatha Christie’s work. Uncover Huang’s post about one of the greatest detective writers of all time at WWrite this week!

From Behind Their Lines

Celebrate Pi-Day (3.14) this week with an American doughboy poem from WWI: “Home Is Where the Pie Is!”.

A man is only missing if he is forgotten.

Monday’s Doughboy MIA this week is Private Percy E. Southard. Born in March, 1897, the son of Henry and Minerva Southard of Reidsville, North Carolina, Private Percy Southard was already a member of the 3^rd Regiment of Infantry, North Carolina National Guard, when America entered WW1 in April, 1917. His unit – Company G of Reidsville – was federalized on 06AUG1917 and sent to Camp Sevier, South Carolina to prepare for overseas service. There the company became Company G, 120^th Infantry Regiment, 30^th Division. Fighting strength for the units of the 30^thwere then built up by drafts of men coming in from Camps Jackson and Taylor. Private Southard shipped ‘Over There’ on 12MAY1918 aboard the transport Bohemian, departing from Boston, Mass. Overseas, the division was brigaded with the British, first in the Ypres Sector up in Belgium. By August, however, they had been transferred to the British 4^th Brigade, in the Somme Sector, to take part in the coming ‘Final Offensive.’

At 5:50 am on 29SEPT1918, the 120^th Infantry was sent over the top in the area of Bellicourt, near the St. Quentin Canal. It was a section of the line the Germans believed impossible to break and the fighting was intense. Nevertheless, by 11:45 am that day  the 120^th had taken Bellicourt. The price had been high though – of the 250 man Company G, some 120 of them had been killed or wounded. One of the killed was Private Percy Southard. Nothing further is known of his case at this time.

His death was announced in the papers back home on 01NOV1918, while his father did not receive official word until 12NOV1918. His mother had died (ostensibly of TB) in June, 1918, while Percy was overseas.

Want to help solve Pvt. Southard’s case? Consider making a donation to Doughboy MIA and help us make a full accounting of the 4,423 American service personnel still listed as missing in action from WW1. Make your tax deductible donation now, with our thanks.

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