“One of the Thousand Y.M.C.A. Girls in France.”

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Creator

Neysa McMein

Title

“One of the Thousand Y.M.C.A. Girls in France.”

Date

1918

Description

World War II was not the first time women volunteered to distribute books to U.S. troops. Though they could not join the military during World War I, women boldly challenged gender stereotypes, volunteered for organizations like the YMCA, traveled overseas, and distributed reading material. In this striking image by Neysa McMein, a YMCA volunteer in France hands out hot coffee and books in 1918.

Source

From the Collection of Molly Guptill Manning