Women on the Homefront
When the North and South mobilized for war in 1861, women on the homefront knew little of the four-year struggle that lay ahead. Imbued with a sense of patriotism, northern and southern women extended their domestic and maternal skills into new areas of work and civic involvement. Women also came to view the war years as a time of trial and hardship as mothers and wives struggled for their families' survival. Yet, regardless of their race, class, or regional identity, women met the challenges presented to them with strength and tenacity, and ultimately helped to shape the course of the conflict.
Voluntary Work
Women demonstrated their patriotism for their respective regions by participating in voluntary organizations. Northern women created associations to supply bandages, socks, food, medicine, and other necessities to soldiers. By April 1862, the U.S. government coordinated women's groups through the United States Sanitary Commission, which served as an umbrella organization for relief efforts and gave many women leadership opportunities. During her work with the Commission, Annie Wittenmyer rose through the ranks eventually to head the state agency in Iowa. Southern women organized their own associations to help aid the Confederacy. In their soldiers' aid societies and sewing circles, primarily established on the local level, women sewed uniforms, collected donations, and made food to send to troops.
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