In the late days of World War I, President Woodrow Wilson requested that aid organizations pool their efforts into a single campaign for soldier morale programs, "in order that the spirit of the country in this matter may be expressed without distinction of race or religious opinion in support of what is in reality a common service". Although the campaign began on the day the war ended on November 11, 1918, fundraising efforts would continue as troops remained in France well into 1919.
Give to our soldiers and sailors through these splendid 7 servants poster (1918-11-11) by United War Work CampaignRhode Island State Archives
Seven organizations took part in the campaign:
The National War Work Council of the YMCA
The War Work Council of the National Board of YWCA
The National Catholic War Council (Knights of Columbus)
The Jewish Welfare Board
The War Camp Community Service
The American Library Association
The Salvation Army
These institutions were nicknamed the “Seven Sisters.” They did not always agree with each other, even disagreeing on whether to combine efforts for the single fundraising drive in the first place.
They published advertisements, campaign posters, and sheet music to instill patriotism and unity.
Back Our Girls Over There poster (1918) by United War Work Campaign, IncRhode Island State Archives
The United War Work Campaign attempted to navigate the complicated relationship America had with traditional gender roles. At this time, women began to challenge the strict division between genders, especially in terms of labor and politics.
The United War Work Campaign and the “Seven Sisters” created advertisements to promote women in war-related capacities. The posters relied on imagery depicting female war workers as traditional mother and sister-like figures that soldiers would want to protect.
For Every Fighter, A Woman Worker poster (1918) by Young Women's Christian AssociationRhode Island State Archives
The Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) brought forward an additional dynamic to the depiction of women in the war effort that was less traditional. Their advertisements focused on women on the job, such as in “Back Our Girls Over There” and "For Every Fighter, A Women Worker” posters.
This type of imagery was not common before World War I, but the YWCA wanted to showcase women engaging in the public areas that men were more typically found.
Oh Boy That’s the Girl, The Salvation Army Lassie, Keep her on the Job poster (1918) by Salvation ArmyRhode Island State Archives
However, while celebrating the capability of women through this art, the YWCA also expressed concerns over women war workers’ juxtaposition and challenge to traditionally held ideas of “womanhood”.
Despite the imagery in their campaigns, they continued to simultaneously focus on the feminine “ideal” and aimed to not overtly challenge “traditional womanhood” as a whole.
Civilians, when we go through this we need all your help and comfort you can give poster (1918-11-11) by Jewish Welfare BoardRhode Island State Archives
In addition to working to unite Americans under President Wilson’s leadership, the United War Work Campaign also appealed to religious unity.
Wilson had extreme mistrust of “hyphenated Americans” (citizens who had loyalty to political entities that were not America), so he made sure to include a variety of institutions within the “Seven Sisters”.
Lend Your Strength to the Red Triangle poster (1918-11-11) by Young Women's Christian AssociationRhode Island State Archives
Organizations from throughout the country, representing different religious and community groups, worked together to fundraise and assist soldiers fighting both in the war and at home.
United We Serve poster (1918-11-11) by United War Work CampaignRhode Island State Archives
The campaign was reported to be the largest fundraising effort in history, originally with a goal of $170,500,000, they were able to raise more than $203 million for programs to aid American soldiers.
