Women At The Helm

“Posters hint at the extraordinary efforts mounted by mostly middle-class women to mobilize in support of war. What the posters do not reveal is that at the outset of the war, faced with the government's foot dragging in implementing a plan for women's service, national women's leaders.” (Document #32)

Before the first World War, the establishment of the Army and the navy opened a door for women in the military. Although, it was only open enough for the wind to blow through. It wasn't until the United States got involved in World War I that the government got serious about using women power.

Women ended up playing a big part in this mobilization of the Great War. The Media and the government went hand in hand. Media such as posters showed powerful images of women, that the public began to understand that women were just as important than the men during this time period.

The “I Want You For US Army” poster back in 1916 was possibly the most famous poster ever created by the hands James Montgomery. He was able to portray Uncle Sam as a figurehead to ask people to join the army by going to the nearest recruiting station available. It never said anywhere on the poster that only men can recruit. So I guess the poster further justifies the fact that both men and women can join the US Army without hesitation.