1917 Cooking Class at Pratt Institute: Women in Action

This photograph captures a cooking scene at Pratt Institute, featuring two women, Miss Hanks and Miss Kierstead, on August 26, 1917. At this time, the world was engrossed in World War I, a conflict that profoundly affected daily life, including education and domestic responsibilities. Pratt Institute, located in Brooklyn, New York, was known for its innovative approaches to education, especially in the fields of art and design, but here we see a focus on practical life skills through cooking.

The image serves as a glimpse into a classroom setting where young women were likely honing their culinary skills, an essential aspect of early 20th-century education. This period was marked by significant social changes, where women began to take on more prominent roles outside traditional domestic duties, influenced by the demands of the war. This snapshot reflects not just the education of women at the time but also provides insight into the intersection of war and daily life, emphasizing the importance of self-sufficiency and skill-building during challenging times.