Gabrielle S. Mulliner to Woodrow Wilson

Gabrielle S. Mulliner to Woodrow Wilson

Gabrielle S. Mulliner

WWP25474

1918 November 15

Request for President Wilson's approval for the war program of the Camp Fire Girls.

Library of Congress, Woodrow Wilson Papers

Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum

World War, 1914-1918--United States

Camp Fire Girls

Girls--Societies and clubs

Danna Faulds

English

Document scan was taken from Library of Congress microfilm reel of the Wilson Papers. WWPL volunteers transcribed the text.

TELEGRAM.

WUP58 NY 423 NL
New York, Nov. 15th 1918.
The President,
Washington, DC

To his Excellency, the President of the United States,
And Honorary President of the Camp Fire Girls:

As soon as the United States entered the world war, the Camp Fire Girls suggested a war program for all girls in war time, which you most graciously approved. Inspired by your approval the Camp Fire Girls have faithfully followed your leadership and have done all you have asked them to do. Ninety three thousand three hundred fifty six of them contributed and cooperated with the Red Cross; eighty thousand four hundred forty eight maintained gardens; forty seven thousand six hundred ninety cared for little children. They realize that the days ahead are as critical in our national life as the days behind us and they have, therefore, subject to your approval, adopted the following program for the days of reconstruction. This program is based on the principle that girls have a special work to perform in the history of the nation quite distinct from the work of boys because the girls are the mothers of the new generation slogan: Give to your country health wealth and womanhood:-

1. Converse health and become sturdy and rugged by taking cold baths and setting-up exercises each morning by walking one hundred miles each month; by eating sweets only at meal time and by camping at least one week each year.
2. Create wealth for self and country by investing pennies in Thrift stamps or penny saving banks by substituting in every phase of life thrift for extravagance; simple pleasures in the home and out of door recreation for expensive amusements.
3. Reestablish the old fashioned womanhood by making homes smile because they have been beautified by cooking wholesome meals and by serving them attractively; caring for children by being real homemakers and hostesses and by keeping eyes open to help others less fortunate.
4. Become part of the new womanhood by spending part of every vacation in actual productive work, such as work on farms, in gardens or factories.
5. Become the makers of the new American womanhood by adopting as sisters girls of foreign parentage and by teaching them American songs, games, customs, by reading American history with them, by celebrating American holidays with them, by bringing them into American homes and by having them take part in entertainments and outings.

Yours for one hundred thousand Camp Fire Girls who are eager to enter into any service you may approve, with energy, seriousness and joyful enthusiasm,

Gabrielle S. Mulliner, President;

Lester F. Scott, Secretary.

Letter

Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924