1917 Portrait of a Young Woman Amidst WWI Turmoil

This historical photograph depicts Lerie Klein, captured in 1917, during the tumultuous years of World War I (1914-1918). The timing of this image is significant, as the United States had just joined the war effort in April 1917, influencing public sentiment and the social landscape of the nation. As many young men enlisted, communities rallied to support the war in various ways, from fundraising to creating war-related propaganda.

Photographed by a member of the Bain News Service, Lerie Kleins image serves as a visual record of a specific moment in time, reflective of the personal stories behind the broader conflict. Each photograph in this era tells its own story, contributing to our understanding of the past and the ways war affected individuals and families. The context of the image, along with its connection to the historical events of World War I, helps us realize how each person, like Klein, played a role in shaping history.