Into the Breach: American Women Overseas in World War I

by Dorothy Schneider

During the First World War, thousands of American women sailed to Europe, some to try to end the war, most to participate in its conduct or succor its victims. A few hundred were members of the U.S. Army; more than 10,000 held quasi–military status as nurses (but without military pay, benefits, or pensions); another 10,000 found or created their own wartime jobs. Although most of these women have vanished completely from memory, the accounts they left of themselves remain to reveal them in all their remarkable diversity. Memoirs, letters, newspaper reports, novels and diaries, from doctors, pilots, photographers, journalists, interpreters, telephone operators and entertainers tell the story of these neglected veterans of World War I.

Genres: History, World War I, Nonfiction

396 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1991

Reviews

[Jill H. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the history of the non-military women who sailed to Europe to assist when WWI began, many before America declared war. A large number were nurses but more than 10,000 served as telephone operators, canteen girls, entertainers and some created their own jobs. The story is told through letters, diaries, and newspaper reports and the research is impeccable. I was surprised at the number of highly educated women, respected novelists and college students who chose to serve.
The book is written from a feminist point of view and reveals the prejudice that existed which often prevented women from being accepted, especially female physicians. The treatment of black women was shameful, and although they found solace and work with the French, very few were allowed to leave the United States for Europe.
My only complaint with the book is that it became very repetitive and the experiences of these women tended to overlap after a few chapters. With that aside, it is a fascinating and little-known history of those who saw it their duty to relieve the suffering of the soldiers and civilians caught in the horror that was the Great War.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

My great-aunt was a nurse during WWI and dealt wit the flu pandemic after the war. I did not know so many American women served overseas in so many roles. Excellent.