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Those charged with the task of organizing the
Woman's Committee of the Council of National Defense of Iowa realized
at an early date that the very work of organization itself might be
made an end as well as a means, and in a large proportion of the
counties the meetings called for forming local chapters were made
patriotic occasions which called together the women of every class,
race and creed. They were, in themselves, demonstrations of democratic
feeling and patriotism which meant much to their communities. In many
counties, patriotic meetings with speakers from near by cities were
held in every school district of the county. The movement for holding
the patriotic meetings has been in the opinion of many, the most
distinctive phase of Iowa's work. The chairman of the Committee on
Patriotic Meetings is Miss Alice French of Davenport, better known as
Octave Thanet, the novelist, who has devoted herself with all her
resources of influence and wealth to this work. Miss French is the
Regent of the Colonial Dames of Iowa and this patriotic society
together with the D.A.R., has been especially in charge of this work,
the value of which can scarcely be estimated. Miss French has been
particularly successful in holding meetings in sections of the state
where there is a large German population, having enlisted as one of her
best speakers the editor of one of the largest German newspapers, who
is aiding in setting forth the duties of the German-American citizen at
this time.
Mrs. Gebhard, who is the Regent of the State D.A.R., has been
carrying on the work of holding meetings in connection with the county
fairs. Arrangements were made for patriotic rallies to be held in every
county of the state.
The chairman of the Committee on Education, Miss Leona
Call, sent out an appeal to all domestic science teachers in the
colleges and schools, to make a specialty of teaching the preparation
of the foods recommended by the Federal Food Administration and
especially that they avail themselves of the opportunity this will give
for patriotic instruction, explaining to their pupils why these things
are necessary, why our country is at war, the suffering in Europe, etc.
It is believed that by this means, instruction not only in habits of
thrift but in patriotism and loyalty to our government will he taken
into many homes not otherwise accessible.
This committee has also appealed to teachers everywhere to
give patriotic instruction and patriotic programs in the school, using
the new and modern literature of patriotism, such as Secretary Lane's
"Address on the Flag"; part of President Wilson's war message, etc. It
is believed that they will thus bring home to the pupils and, through
them to their parents, the fact that each one has a personal interest
in this war.
The chairman of the Iowa Division, Mrs. Francis E. Whitley*,
sent to every college in the state a request to the girls to secure
from their own acquaintance, as many signatures as possible to the food
pledge cards, each one writing to her own home town and giving thus,
not only help to the campaign, but an evidence of her own loyal
interest. She also sent a letter to each of the rural clubs, of which
Iowa has a very large number, asking them not only to circulate the
food pledge cards in their own neighborhoods, but to hold patriotic
meetings, using the songs of our country- the songs which our soldiers
are singing in the camps -and giving a distinctively patriotic tone to
the gatherings in their community centers.
The Iowa Division made an especial effort to carry on the
work of safeguarding the conditions around the great cantonment at Des
Moines. Mrs. Harold R. Howells, the chairman of the Health and
Recreation Committee, with the aid of the women of the Des Moines unit
especially cooperated with the agents sent out by the Committee from
the War Department in meeting this great and imperative need.
A letter was sent to the newspapers of every county in the
state and to every county chairman, asking that the women in each
locality take steps to see that no girl who leaves home seeking
employment in Des Moines shall go without notifying either the local
Woman's Committee or the Y.W.C.A., so that she may be met and sheltered
until some suitable place to live can be secured.
The Iowa Division sent an appeal to the colleges asking that
all social functions be simplified; that every form of extravagance and
display be eliminated as unsuited to a time like this; they are asked
to do this as a patriotic offering to their country and to demonstrate
that they share in the heroic ideals of their college brothers who have
gone, or are going, to the field of battle. The students are voting to
comply with this request, giving up "Junior Proms"; and using money for
Red Cross and other patriotic work.
Several of the local branches interested themselves in local
community cellars, for the benefit of those having none. The women at
one county seat gave a conservation festival, the proceeds of which
went to buy sugars, jars, etc., for those who could not afford to buy
them.
In carrying on the food pledge campaign in Iowa it was
necessary to deny frequently many stories that had been industriously
circulated. The most common of these was that those signing these cards
will have their canned fruit and vegetables confiscated by the
government agents. One of the cheering illustrations of genuine
patriotism, however, was brought out by this rumor. In Webster County
when the workers from the woman's committee was securing pledges, they
asked one housewife for her signature and were surprised and touched
when, after signing promptly, she asked very honestly if she would know
when the man from the government was coming as she was canning and
preserving all she could so that she would have her share ready. Truly
this patriotic Scandinavian woman set an example to some native
Americans.
Iowa women have helped most efficiently in promoting the
Liberty Loan, especially in influencing women, women's organizations,
Sunday Schools, young people's religious societies, etc., to invest. In
Dubuque a leaflet with questions and answers was compiled by the
Woman's Committee canvassers.
The officers of the Iowa Woman's Committee are: chairman,
Mrs. Francis E. Whitley, Webster
City; vice-chairman, Mrs. F. J. Mansfield, Burlington; vice-chairman,
Mrs. H. W. Spaulding, Grinnell; secretary, Miss Catherine J. Mackay,
Ames; treasurer, Mrs. C. H. Norris, Des Moines; auditor, Mrs. J. W.
Watek, Davenport; Registration, Mrs. C. H. Morris, Des Moines;
Conservation, Miss Catherine J. Mackay, Ames; Child Welfare, Dr. Lenna
Meanes, Des Moines; Education, Miss Leona
Call, Webster City; Liberty Loan, Mrs. W. W. Marsh, Waterloo;
Patriotic, Miss Alice French,
Davenport.
*[transcribers clarification: Mrs. Francis E. Whitney is Cora Call
Whitney, Francis was her husband]
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