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| Dating Kitchen, circa 1916. Women's Section. Navy League National Service School. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D. C. |
Background on the National Service
Schools
The Women’s
Section of the Navy League was formed in
July of 1915. It was the first national women’s
preparedness organization. It was formed in response to the sinking of the
Lusitania and the women’s pacifists and peace movements that were occurring in
the U.S. at the time. The founders of the organization believed that a strong
Navy was the best way to keep the country safe. They also believed that women should
play a role in guarding the country
against the possibility of foreign invasions.
Within three months of its founding, the organization had over 25,000 members and had gained the support of nine patriotic women’s organizations. In November of 1915, the organization sponsored a Women’s National Defense Conference in Washington, D. C. The most interesting result of the conference was the creation of National Service Schools. Although the schools emphasized traditional women’s work, there were some surprises. In addition to domestic training (knitting, cooking, and first aid), students also received training in clerical and communications work. The most surprising and nontraditional course was truck driving. The schools were similar to military camps with the ladies living and training in tents and participating in calisthenics, drilling and marching.
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| Knitting, circa 1916. Women's Section. Navy League National Service School. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D. C. |
The first
service school opened on May 1, 1916, in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Three others were opened that year in Presidio, California, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, and Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island. Most of the schools lasted a month and accommodated
both residents and day students. According
to the article “Carondelet Girl First Women to be Called to Colors” the training was to prepare attendees for active
military service and the students were “instructed by doctors and nurses of the
Red Cross and by non-commissioned officers of the Army, Navy and Marine Corp.” In
the United States in the First World
War: An Encyclopedia, the schools are said to have been modeled after the
popular civilian training camps ran by General Leonard Wood in New York at the
time.
Needless to
say, the schools had a lasting impact on many of the women and taught them skills
that they would not have learned otherwise. In addition, the schools brought
a lot of attention and publicity to the
national defense and preparedness movements.
Bribach’s experiences at the National
Service Schools
Bribach
actually attended two service schools. She attended the National Service School
No III, in Geneva, Wisconsin August 15- September, 15 1916, and the National
Service School that was held in Washington, D. C. in April of 1917. Bribach kept a journal while attending the
school in D. C. The school lasted 20 days. Highlights from the journal are as
follows:
April
15 – Bribach wrote that she had reached the camp in a down pour and mentioned
the names of her bunk mates.
April
16- Bribach explained that she was up at 6 am for physical drill and described
her daily duties such as guard duty, attending classes, etc…
April
17 - Bribach wrote that it was a bright sunny day and that they had begun
drilling in squads.
April
18 – Bribach wrote that they had lessons on motoring, driving and repairing.
April
19 – Bribach wrote that her company was complimented on their drilling by the Drill
Master.
April
20 – Bribach explained that they had a quiz on dialectics, a demonstration in
map drawing, and advanced wireless training. Also, she said they had a birthday party with smuggled in sweets.
April
21 – Bribach wrote that they had a lecture on first aid after mess.
April
22 – Bribach explained that they had rigid personal inspections and that she
had four hours of leave. While on leave she wrote that they took an auto tour
of Washington D.C.
April
23 – Bribach wrote that they were complimented by the Drill Master during a
visit by General Bridges. She also wrote
that she attended a lecture on patriotism.
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| First Aid Course, National Service School No. 3, Lake Geneva, WI--1916 Carrie P. Bribach at the head of the stretcher. Bribach Collection Carondelet Historical Society |
Sources:
Carrie P.
Bribach Collection, Carondelet Historical Society, St. Louis, MO. The collection
includes newspaper clippings, the journal Bribach kept while at school in Washington,
D.C. and photographs.Venzon, Anne Cipriano , ed. The United States in the First World War: An Encyclopedia , 1999.
