World War, 1914-1918 -- Social aspects

Scope and Contents

The Committee on Construction and Equipment of the War Work Council of the National Board of the YWCA of the U.S.A. is responsible for material needs and construction of hostess houses. Hostess Houses provide a place for women to entertain men and meet with family members in addition to being a safe place for women to stay while visiting military camps. The committee ensures the hostess houses are properly equipped and authorize the purchase of needed equipment including automobiles. 

Scope and Contents The Committee on Foreign Born Women of the War Work Council of the National Board of the YWCA of the U.S.A. is responsible for coordinating programming and relief work with foreign-born women in the United States. These activities and programs include translation services, advisory and training services to local associations working with foreign communities, the development of the Polish Grey Samaritans program for relief work in Poland, assisting men and women in securing information...

Scope and Contents The Committee on Organization and Extension of Regular Work of the War Work Council of the YWCA of the U.S.A. oversees the development and support of new associations due to the increase demand for work during World War I. Their duties include authorizing expenses for the support of developing associations, allocating staff, reporting to the Executive Committee and maintaining an awareness of wartime needs. The committee and the War Work Council finance and support association work with the...

Scope and Contents The Committee on Organization and Extension of Regular Work of the War Work Council of the YWCA of the U.S.A. oversees the development and support of new associations due to the increase demand for work during World War I. Chronological reports of their activities in local communities record important actions taken, equipment and staff needs, excerpts from correspondence between the committee and the local community and import events and challenges the association faces. Reports concern the...

Scope and Contents

Proceedings of the conference of the War Work Council of the National Board of the YWCA of the U.S.A. The conference is called to respond to the increase requests for association work and assistance, begin planning work on a national and international scale, and begin initial steps towards implementation. Through addresses and business sessions the attendees learn of the current situations affected by World War I and vote on actions and resolutions concerning planned actions. 

Scope and Contents The Continuation Committee and Post-Continuation Committee of the War Work Council of the National Board of the YWCA of the U.S.A. are responsible for facilitating the completion of war work activities and transitioning continuing activities to post-war status. The committees' activities include seeing that unpaid bills are paid, determining appropriate uses for money designated as "war money," tracking outstanding expenses and projects and recommending the reassignment of...

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The Executive Committee of the War Work Council of the National Board of the YWCA of the U.S.A. is responsible for the direction and administration of the War Work Council. The executive committee makes recommendations to the National Board, reviews reports on war work activities, assesses staff and budget needs, reviews reports from committees and reviews recommendations from sub-committees. 

Scope and Contents

The Executive Committee of the War Work Council of the National Board of the YWCA of the U.S.A. is responsible for the direction and administration of the War Work Council. The executive committee makes recommendations to the National Board, reviews reports on war work activities, assesses staff and budget needs, reviews reports from committees and reviews recommendations from sub-committees. 

Scope and Contents The Hostess House Committee of the War Work Council is responsible for the oversight of the hostess house program of the YWCA of the U.S.A. during World War I. Hostess houses are established as a safe place for women visiting military camps to rest, eat and entertain their loved ones. Committee meeting minutes include updates from hostess houses and their needs, requests for new hostess houses, discussion of staff duties and the management of the hostess house and procedures for the hostess...

Scope and Contents The Housing Committee of the War Work Council of the National Board of the YWCA of the U.S.A. is responsible for the emergency housing needs brought about by the onset of World War I. Housing needs for women increase as they are drawn to cities, industrial centers and military camps for work. The Housing Committee oversees the hostel, hotel, boarding home and room registry programs accommodating such women. At meetings the committee reports on housing needs, construction projects, equipment,...

Scope and Contents The Housing Committee of the War Work Council of the National Board of the YWCA of the U.S.A. is responsible for the emergency housing needs brought about by the onset of World War I. Housing needs for women increase as they are drawn to cities, industrial centers and military camps for work. The Housing Committee oversees the hostel, hotel, boarding home and room registry programs accommodating such women. At meetings the committee reports on housing needs, construction projects, equipment,...

Scope and Contents

Chronological notes for each housing local housing facility of the YWCA of the U.S.A. Notes record building and property leasing, staffing, construction and equipping. Also included in the notes are excerpts from correspondence concerning important events in the life of the houses. Housing notes are arranged alphabetically by city. 

Scope and Contents The Junior Council of the War Work Council of the National Board of the YWCA of the U.S.A. is responsible for reporting on local and national war work efforts of young people including local Patriotic Leagues. The microfilm target notes that the minutes of the Junior Council are incomplete. The Land Service Committee of the War Work Council seeks information concerning the working conditions and needs of women participating in agricultural work during World War I in response to a labor...

Scope and Contents The Overseas Committee of the War Work Council of the National Board of the YWCA of the U.S.A. is responsible for the oversight of war relief overseas being conducted through or supported by the YWCA of the U.S.A. After the end of the war the committee becomes part of the Continuation Committee and discusses the continuation of programs, discontinuance of some and change of responsibility and reporting of others. The work of the committee is eventually absorbed into the Foreign...

Scope and Contents The Overseas Committee of the War Work Council of the National Board of the YWCA of the U.S.A. is responsible for the oversight of war relief overseas being conducted through or supported by the YWCA of the U.S.A. Reports from the committee provide an overview of their services and activities for the reporting period including an assessment of the social, economic, health and safety conditions in the countries where work is being conducted. Reports of from secretaries working in Belgium and...

Scope and Contents The Overseas Committee of the War Work Council of the National Board of the YWCA of the U.S.A. is responsible for the oversight of war relief overseas being conducted through or supported by the YWCA of the U.S.A. Reports to the committee concerning work in France describe the social, economic, political and safety conditions faced by women. In addition, the reports summarize and assess the success of work relief efforts including the work in hostess houses, hostels and foyers....

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Reports of the work in Italy, Poland and Romania of the War Work Council of the National Board of the YWCA of the U.S.A. to the Overseas Committee. Reports describe the social, economic, political and safety conditions faced by women in addition to summarizing and assessing the successes and challenges of war relief efforts. Correspondence and reports from secretaries provide a first hand account of the scenes and intimate description of conditions.

Scope and Contents The Overseas Committee of the War Work Council of the National Board of the YWCA of the U.S.A. is responsible for the oversight of war relief overseas being conducted through or supported by the YWCA of the U.S.A. Reports to the committee concerning work in Turkey and Armenia describe the social, economic, political and safety conditions faced by women and their families. In addition, the reports summarize and assess the success of work relief efforts including the work in housing, social...

Scope and Contents The Polish Grey Samaritans Committee of the War Work Council of the National Board of the YWCA of the U.S.A. is responsible for conducting training and financing the work of Polish-American women in war relief and reconstruction in Poland. The women, after completing a training course in first-aid, nursing and relief work, are either assigned to work in France with Polish forces or in Poland to assist in reconstruction. The committee is responsible for developing a training program,...

Scope and Contents Minutes and reports of the Social Morality Committee and Volunteer Workers' Bureau of the War Work Council of the National Board of the YWCA of the U.S.A. The Social Morality Committee coordinates lectures, training and educational materials teaching the benefits of health as the basis for socially and personally responsible living. Such program include sex education to girls and women, particularly women exposed to military camps. The Social Morality Committee begins as the Social Morality...

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Social morality lectures by Dr. Mabel Ulrich. 

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Handbook for speakers speaking about the war work of the YWCA of the U.S.A. and bulletins concerning war work opportunities for students during World War I. 

Scope and Contents In order to provide places of shelter, comfort and rest for women visitors to military training and mobilization camps the War Work Council of the YWCA of the U.S.A. establishes hostess houses. These houses serve a range of functions including serving meals and acting as a place for women to meet and entertain the military men. Arranged alphabetically by the name of the hostess houses the reports, notes and correspondence concern the finance and management of the hostess houses, assessments...

Scope and Contents In order to provide places of shelter, comfort and rest for women visitors to military training and mobilization camps the War Work Council of the YWCA of the U.S.A. establishes hostess houses. These houses serve a range of functions including serving meals and acting as a place for women to meet and entertain the military men. Documents include informational bulletins and reports, letters of commendation, correspondence and reports concerning the financing of hostess houses, hostess house...

Scope and Contents Reports and correspondence of the Housing Committee of the War Work Council of the YWCA of the U.S.A. The Housing Committee is formed to address the housing needs of women war workers during World War I. The committee studies the housing situation and from the study develops standards and suggestions. Not responsible for constructing housing, the committee acts as advisors and consultants to those providing housing for women war workers. Committee reports, correspondence and meetings address...

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"An Industrial Notebook" is a compilation of materials gathered by the Industrial Committee of the War Work Council of the YWCA of the U.S.A. concerning the effect World War II has on industry. The notebook is divided into topical sections that the holder of the notebook adds to as the Industrial Committee sends additional pages. 

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Reports, pamphlets and bulletins concerning the industrial work of women during World War I arranged alphabetically by title.

Scope and Contents Documents concerning YWCA of the U.S.A. programs for industrial women workers during World War I. In order to meet the needs of the expanded and concentrated female workforce in industry, the YWCA of the U.S.A. establishes industrial service centers. These buildings are spaces for all women employed in industry to rest, meet with other women, plan activities and participate in recreation. Pamphlets, reports, notes, bylaws and correspondence concern the purpose of the centers, guidelines for...

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A report from the Junior Council to the Executive Committee of the YWCA of the U.S.A. concerning its role with the Patriot League and documents concerning the Land Service Committee of the YWCA of the U.S.A., a committee responsible for establishing and equipping housing for women farm laborers in areas where resources are not already existing. 

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A collection of lectures on the employment of women industry during World War I and the problems and issues surrounding the expanded demand on women workers.