Women’s Contributions and Perspectives

While Canadians were enlisting for service in Europe for the Great War, Camrose exemplified the impact that wartime also had on the women who remained on the home front. Camrose and its surrounding districts experienced the same shortage of labour on farms as well as in industry as did the rest of Canada due to such a large portion of the male population overseas. War efforts on behalf of the women at home sprouted up across the nation. The Women’s Relief Corps, the Daughters of the Empire, as well as local volunteers contributed in terms of supplies sent to “the boys.” Sewing projects and comforting letters, as well as providing the Camrose Canadian newspaper with said letters for publication marked a female involvement. Busier than ever, the years 1914-1918 reflected an important role that women played in their local communities, families, and for the Great War itself.

Sewing projects constituted a way to support the war among Camrose women. These projects included sewing bandages, pajamas, socks, and the like to send overseas. Specifics of the items and call for volunteers can be seen in the article below:

An article in the September 19th, 1918 issue of The Camrose Canadian newspaper
An article in the September 19th, 1918 issue of The Camrose Canadian newspaper

The Daughters of the Empire proudly hosted many community events such as plays at the David Theatre pertaining to the theme of war as well as concerts and fundraisers throughout Camrose where they eagerly collected donations for the war effort.1

Food preparation fell mostly into the hands of the female population and as the war went on, being a “patriotic woman” in Camrose also meant preparing “patriotic dishes.” With shipping facilities limited due to the war, many “unorthodox” cuts of meat, such as feet, brains, kidneys and so on, created potential use in the Canadian food industry. As a result recipes were published in newspapers, such as The Camrose Canadian, for women to take advantage of with patriotic enthusiasm.2 For a closer look at each of these recipes click on the image below:

September 5th, 1918, the Camrose Canadian, http://augustana.centuryamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Womens-Patriotic-Recipes.jpg
Article in the September 5th, 1918 issues of the Camrose Canadian newspaper

A massive sugar shortage also created conservative measures in Canada. Household sugar consumption was reduced to 1½ pounds per person per month by the Canadian Food Board.3 Brown or yellow sugar was recommended as a substitute and preserves/canning was highly encouraged with the limited availability of sugar.4 As a result the hoarding of sugar was fined and in May of 1918 it was deemed illegal to make candy for private consumption.5 Camrose women would have felt the impacts of these limitations on both a private as well as a commercial scale.

Notes:

  1. The Camrose Canadian. “Some Dishes that Patriotic Women Want to Know About.” Sept. 5, 1918. 10.40: 6. http://www.ourfutureourpast.ca/newspapr/np_page.aspcode=nf0p0253.jpg
  2. The Camrose Canadian. “Prisoner of War Will Speak Here.” April 25, 1918. 10.21. http://www.ourfutureourpast.ca/newspapr/np_page.aspcode=nf0p0115.jpg
  3. The Camrose Canadian. “Be Saving with Sugar.” Sept. 5, 1918. 10.40: 6. http://www.ourfutureourpast.ca/newspapr/np_page.aspcode=nf0p0253.jpg
  4. The Camrose Canadian. “Be Saving with Sugar.” Sept. 5, 1918. 10.40: 6. http://www.ourfutureourpast.ca/newspapr/np_page.aspcode=nf0p0253.jpg
  5. The Camrose Canadian. “Interesting Items of the Week: Personal Local.” May 30, 1918. 10.26. http://www.ourfutureourpast.ca/newspapr/np_page.aspcode=nf0p0155.jpg