Most American History textbooks will contain quotes about women during World War I.
Many American History textbooks feature sections where they detail contributions of women during World War I. These would be solid locations to find general quotes about the role women played in the conflict. However, I believe that you can find some very interesting quotes in the work of Kathryn Atwood. Her book entitled Women Heroes of World War I: 16 Remarkable Resisters,...
Most American History textbooks will contain quotes about women during World War I.
Many American History textbooks feature sections where they detail contributions of women during World War I. These would be solid locations to find general quotes about the role women played in the conflict. However, I believe that you can find some very interesting quotes in the work of Kathryn Atwood. Her book entitled Women Heroes of World War I: 16 Remarkable Resisters, Soldiers, Spies, and Medics focuses on women during World War I. The book is a collection of the powerful contributions that women made to the "Great War," endeavors that are sometimes overlooked in a textbook retelling of the war effort. One of her quotes captures the important role women played in World War I by linking it to historical record:
During the conflict that was placed before them, they not only gained the gratitude of many in their own generation but they proved, for the first time on a global scale, the enormous value of a woman’s contribution, paving the way for future generations of women to do the same.
Atwood argues that what women did during World War I should earn them a place in "remembered history." Her book goes very far in establishing such an idea.
I think that another place to find some interesting quotes made by a significant woman during World War I would be in the thoughts of Jeannette Rankin. She was the first woman elected to the United States Congress. She was also a passionate opponent of the war. As the first woman to hold nationally elected office, Rankin fought for her beliefs. Rankin once said, "War is the slaughter of human beings, temporarily regarded as enemies, on as large a scale as possible." Emphasizing her opposition to war, Rankin also said that "There can be no compromise with war; it cannot be reformed or controlled; it cannot be disciplined into decency or codified into common sense." These quotes reflect Rankin's courageous attitude against war.
Rankin's quotes are significant because we have a woman in the position of political power espousing how war is not the answer. They are meaningful because they run counter to the dominant attitude of the time period where war was seen as absolutely necessary. Rankin had the courage to speak her mind, and share unpopular opinions. She is as significant as the many women who sacrificed comfort and security to do what they felt was right in serving their country. Rankin's words resonate today. She once said, "Men and women are like right and left hands; it doesn't make sense not to use both." This idea might be one of the most powerful in communicating how men and women are essential to the American narrative. It speaks to Rankin's belief that America before, during, and after World War I is dependent on the efforts of both men and women.
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