by Edward Dorgan
Lewis S. Mills High School, Burlington
'S SNAPSHOT
Topic Women, World War I, Work |
Theme Gender Roles in Economic, Political, and Social Life |
Town Bridgeport, Statewide |
Related Search Terms WWI, The Great War, Womens Rights, Defense Work, Equality in the Work Place |
Social Studies Frameworks High School – United States History |
D1: POTENTIAL COMPELLING QUESTION
What impact did the women of Connecticut have on the Great War (WWI)?
D1: POTENTIAL SUPPORTING QUESTIONS
- What is the message of the “Every American Woman” advertisement?
- Who is being targeted?
- What emotional reactions does the writer seem to be looking for from readers?
- Why do you think this broadside was published in the Bridgeport Times & Evening Farmer?
D2: TOOL KIT
Things you will need to teach this lesson.

Advertisement from the Bridgeport Times and Evening Farmer. Bridgeport, Connecticut, September 20 ,1918 – Library of Congress, Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers
Advertisement from the U.S. Employment Bureau published in The Bridgeport Times and Evening Farmer newspaper on September 20, 1918, page 12, that offers arguments for why American women should work in armament factories during the Great War (WWI).
Download the Library of Congress – Analyzing Newspapers – PDF.
D3: INQUIRY ACTIVITY
- Students will analyze the U.S. Employment Bureau’s advertisement, “Every American Woman,” and answer the supporting questions.
- Students will annotate the words and images in the primary source, including those linked to patriotism and making connections to earlier historical events (previously studied).
D4: COMMUNICATING CONCLUSIONS
- Students will create their own advertisement/poster to recruit residents of Connecticut to assist in the effort to help win the Great War (WWI).
- Students will design a WWI monument that recognizes the war efforts of Connecticut residents on the home front.
- Extended Learning: Students will research other primary-source materials (see below for suggestions and links) and write an editorial for the Hartford Courant arguing the importance of the role Connecticut women played in the Great War (WWI).
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES