1917 Housewives League Car: A War-Era Inspiration

This photograph, captured in 1917, features a car associated with the Housewives League, an organization that emerged during World War I. Founded primarily in support of the war effort, the Housewives League aimed to assist families facing economic hardships due to the war. The League encouraged women to conserve resources, buy locally, and support businesses committed to helping the war effort. The presence of the car symbolizes both the practicality of household management during wartime and the active role women played in supporting their communities.

Taken by a photographer from the Bain News Service, the image reflects a pivotal moment when women increasingly stepped into roles beyond traditional domesticity. Between 1914 and 1918, many women contributed significantly to the workforce and the economy as they filled gaps left by men who enlisted in the military. This photograph serves as a reminder of how societal roles shifted dramatically during the war years, marking the beginning of a gradual change in womens rights and social standing in the United States.