Records of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Box 77, Folder 14

U.S. Office of War Information, World War Two Women's War Work Poster, 1942-1943

Regent Mary Duffy reported that the affairs of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas were in excellent order on the eve of the Second World War.  War broke out in Europe in 1939, however, and Pearl Harbor was attacked by the Japanese in 1941, bring the U.S. officially into the war. The Daughters became involved on many fronts.  The Daughters asked members to coordinate with the Red Cross, the USO, and other agencies.  Local courts were asked to knit, sew, and make bandages.  Mary Duffy's Sister Agnes, also involved in organizing war activities, told convention delegates in 1941, "throw the weight of influence of the Catholic Daughters of America in maintaining proper moral standards in the community,"  This document addresses the matter of women's changing roles during the war.

After reading the document, consider the following:  

• Why, according to this document, did the Catholic Daughters of America speak out against women in industry during the war?
• How does this opinion contrast with traditional American patriotism during the war?
• Explain how this view might have created anti-Catholic sentiment by non-Catholics.
• What do you think the author of the broadcast would say about the poster issued by the OWI on this page?