Statue nicknamed “Tilly,” commemorating the Red Cross Women’s Motor Corps of WWI,. Colorized by the blog editor.
I realize it is unusual for me to write about events or people not from New Hampshire. For this story I made one of those uncommon exceptions. After several years of researching World War I and the women who served, I felt this story might shed a light on a problem.
When world War I ended in 1918 there was a flurry of activity to create memorials, monuments and statues in tribute of those who served. Women served in many capacities during that “Great War” mainly as nurses, telephone operators, canteen workers, production workers, and chauffeur and ambulance drivers. In a few instances their names were inscribed on group memorial monuments, however women’s WWI contributions were mostly ignored or bypassed when it came to constructing gender-specific statues. Most did not receive any veterans benefits. Continue reading
