Utah Women’s Roles in World War One

World War I (1914-1918) was a pivotal moment in American history, marking the country’s transition onto the world stage as a major power. Utah, though geographically removed from the Eastern centers of American political power, played a significant role in the war effort, particularly through the contributions of its women. The involvement of Utah women in World War I is a testament to their resourcefulness, patriotism, and the early stirrings of a broader movement for women’s rights and recognition in the United States.

Even before the United States officially entered the war in 1917, Utah women were active in preparedness efforts. They participated in the Red Cross and other organizations, knitting socks and sweaters for soldiers, rolling bandages, and conducting various drives to support both local and international relief efforts. The spirit of volunteerism was strong, and many women joined organizations like the American Red Cross and the National League for Woman’s Service. These organizations provided platforms for Utah women to contribute significantly to the war effort, from organizing community support services to engaging in more direct forms of assistance for the troops overseas.

A smaller, but no less significant, number of Utah women served overseas in various capacities. Some worked as nurses in the Army Nurse Corps and the Red Cross, facing the harsh realities of war firsthand as they cared for wounded soldiers in Europe. Others took on roles such as telephone operators, known as “Hello Girls,” and served as translators, clerks, and in other administrative positions. These women were pioneers, navigating the challenges of working in male-dominated military environments and in many cases, close to the front lines.

The involvement of Utah women in World War I had a lasting impact on the state and the nation. Their service challenged traditional gender roles and contributed to the changing perceptions of women’s capabilities and rights. The war years, with their demands for women to take on new roles and responsibilities, helped to accelerate the women’s suffrage movement. Utah women, having already gained the right to vote in 1870 (a right reaffirmed in 1896 when Utah became a state), were ahead of the national curve and used their political and organizational experience to contribute to the broader suffrage efforts and other social reforms.

The contributions of Utah women to the World War I effort were multifaceted, ranging from local community organization and support to active service overseas. These efforts not only provided crucial support to the war but also helped to forge a new path for women in Utah and across the nation. The legacy of these women is a reminder of the critical role they played in a transformative period of American history, challenging societal norms and laying the groundwork for future generations of women to build upon.

4th Grade Social Studies Standard 4.4.6: Use case studies to explain how national or global events between 1896–1999 (for example, World War I, the Spanish Flu Epidemic, the Great Depression, World War II, Japanese American Incarceration, the Cold War, civil rights movements, Americans with Disabilities Act) had an impact in their local communities and state.

1. Understand the broad impact of WWI on the United States, particularly Utah.
2. Appreciate the diverse roles women played during WWI.
3. Recognize the changes in society and women’s rights that resulted from WWI.
4. Develop research skills by exploring different women’s stories.

1. Introduction to WWI: Using the provided PowerPoint, discuss the basics of WWI, the United States’ involvement, and Utah’s role. (15 minutes) 
2. Explain four different roles women played during the war effort while men were serving their country overseas: Women on the Front Lines, Women at Work, Women on the Home Front, and Women in Protest. (10 minutes)
3. Divide the class into 4 groups: Women on the Front Lines, Women at Work, Women on the Home Front, and Women in Protest. (One option is to have students take the personality quiz and see which famous woman or group they are most like to determine their groups). (3-4 minutes)
4. Have the students skim or read the assigned section of the story map related to their group. (5 minutes)
5. Activity – Research and Design a Quarter: (25-30 minutes)
   1. Research: In their respective groups, students can choose to learn about 1-2 women who coincide with their category. 
      1. Maud Fitch or the Hello Girls – Women on the Front Lines
      2. Gertrude Stevens Lancaster – Women on the Home Front 
      3. Female Navy Yeomen or World War One and Women in the Workforce – Women at Work 
      4. Zitkála-Šá, Silent Sentinels, or Goshute Women – Women in Protest
   2. Students will then design a quarter for the women/group of women showcasing their contributions to WWI. 
6. At the bottom, students will write a sentence or two about their individual or group’s contributions and efforts. 

1. Participation: Students will be assessed on their engagement in group readings, discussions, and activities.
2. Design a Quarter and write up: Students will be assessed on their design and their summary of their individual/group’s contributions and efforts to WWI.

1. Personality Quiz: Have students take the personality quiz to discover which woman from WWI they are most like.
2. Gallery Walk: Have students do a gallery walk of their classmates’ quarter designs to see the contributions of women in other roles during WWI. 
3. Letter Writing Campaign: Have students participate in the Hello Girls Congressional Gold Medal Letter Writing Campaign from the WWI Centennial Commission here or the Hutchings Museum Institute here.
4. Create Your Own Trading Card: Have students create a trading card using this template about the woman/group they researched.
5. Role Play: Students role-play scenarios depicting women at work, women protesting for their rights, on the front lines, and at home.