World War I and the Modern American Woman

Description

Guest speaker Lynn Dumenil focuses on popular culture visual imagery of American women during World War I. Using slides and film clips, it analyzes these representations in the context of a key issue of early twentieth century women?s history: the rise of the modern ?new woman.? I argue that World War I did not cause a major transformation in women?s roles or status, but suggest that extensive media attention to women engaged in war service at home and abroad helped to consolidate a perception of a new woman who challenged the various boundaries that had restricted women?s lives. The Michael J. Colligan History Project is a joint undertaking of the Colligan Fund Committee of the Hamilton Community Foundation and Miami University Hamilton. For more information call (513) 785-3277 or visit www.colliganproject.org.