American War Mothers Collection-Charlotte Chapter, 1926-1991

The American War Mothers organization grew from a Presidential request for Americans to improve food production, conservation, and distribution, which would aid in the prosecution of World War I. In 1917, President Woodrow Wilson appointed Herbert Hoover to serve as National Food Administrator, and tasked him with supervising these efforts. Hoover in turn appointed a local administrator for each state to assist him. Initial calls for conservation went largely unheeded, as many Americans met the idea of such a need with skepticism. Governor Goodrich of Indiana met with Wilson’s Indiana appointee, Dr. Harry E. Barnard, the State Council, and other interested organizations, to determine how they could foster interest in helping the war effort through food conservation. One attendee, Don Herold, from the State Office of Food Conservation, spoke up and said, “If the Mothers of men in service could be made to know the necessity staring the world in the face, food conservation programs would be solved.” He further suggested that the mothers in question, or “War Mothers,” could be quickly mobilized. The call went out to the Women’s Civic League in July 1917. Alice M. French, a committee member of the Civic League, agreed to help plan the appeal to each county in the state, asking for the selection of a “County War Mother” to take charge of efforts. Dr. Barnard sent copies of Mrs. French’s letters to Herbert Hoover. Hoover requested that Mrs. French lead the Indiana war mothers, and she consented on September 29th, which became known as the “Founders Day” of the American War Mothers. The movement quickly caught on, and the Indiana chapter of the American War Mothers was incorporated on May 18, 1918, with 72 members.

Shortly after its incorporation, a conference was called for August 1918 in Indiana. Mrs. French sent letters asking that a State War Mother from each of the 48 states be appointed as a delegate to the conference. At the conference on August 16, the national organization of American War Mothers was effected, along with the adoption of a constitution and by-laws, and election of national officers. The organization received its Congressional Charter on February 24, 1925. Initial membership was limited to the mothers whose sons or daughters served in the Armed Forces between April 6, 1917 and November 11, 1918. This was later amended to include mothers whose children served in any conflict involving Americans. Further amendments allowed for the inclusion of mothers of adopted and step-children as well.

The American Gold Star Mothers eventually branched off from the American War Mothers. During World War I, women flew flags with a blue star in the middle for each family member serving overseas. If a relative died, a gold star was sewn on top of the blue one. This group of women was recognized as representing a separate entity from the American War Mothers, and the American Gold Star Mothers organization was incorporated on January 5, 1929. As with the American War Mothers, the Gold Star Mothers’ membership was initially limited, but was later amended to include all American conflicts, and all mothers of children killed during these conflicts.

The North Carolina chapter of the American War Mothers was organized by a Mrs. Patterson, in December 1920. The Charlotte chapter was initially known as the War Mothers Club, and was organized in 1917. The mothers, along with Rev. Spaugh, met weekly at the home of Mrs. J. Warren Roark and other members, to pray for their sons overseas. This prayer club once had over 450 members. The Charlotte Chapter American War Mothers was formally organized in August 1920. The charter officers were Mrs. Hugh Montgomery, President; Mrs. W.E. Younts, First Vice President; Mrs. L.D. Whitsett, Second Vice President; Mrs. J.H. Wearn, Treasurer; Mrs. W.O. Nesbit, Historian; and Mrs. J. Warren Roark, Secretary.

The Charlotte American War Mothers were active in numerous ways. Along with other chapters in the state, they helped maintain a Guest House at Oteen, North Carolina, which provided housing for soldier’s relatives at a nominal fee during the soldier’s recovery at the Oteen V.A. Hospital. Like many of their sisters across America, members also participated in fund-raising activities, visited and corresponded with disabled and shut-in veterans as well as those overseas, held Memorial and Veterans Day services which included placing flags and flowers on graves, participated in V.A. Hospital parties and other events held there, and donated money and time to help veterans and their families in need.