WOMEN IN THE HOME AND COMMUNITY
Click HERE to view more images about rationing.
 Credit: National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institute |
| The focus on feeding the military and civilian populations led to development of nutrition standards and public education programs. Efforts were so successful that those in the military enjoyed better food than before the war while the civilian population was able to adequately feed the nation and large parts of the world. |
| “This is a challenge to all the American people—but to none of them more directly than to its women. Women must mobilize on the food front—because as consumers and homemaker they hold the key position on this sector of national defense. Theirs is the job of translating our knowledge of how food makes health into three good meals a day for their families.” |
Navy nurse and dietitian proves to be of
exceptional value on overseas duty  Credit: Women’s Memorial Foundation Click on image for larger version |
Cheese is promoted as a “Victory Food Special” |
| Recycling was a patriotic duty. Metals were a primary target of recycling drives. Waste paper was collected to make fuses and bones were processed into explosives. Lard replaced butter as women adapted recipes to deal with shortages of sugar and dairy products. |
Car bumpers were contributed in scrap drive  Credit: National Archives |
Children bringing their weekly contributions of scrap paper to school  Credit: Library of Congress |
