Here, Penfield depicts four young women toting animals, farming supplies and produce in an effort to exhibit the women’s contribution to the war effort of WWI as they headed farms to produce food at home and to send to soldiers abroad as many men who traditionally ran farms were on the battlefronts. The women appear strong and capable and Penfield’s earthy color palette suggests their ties to the land. The Y.W.C.A., the organization advertised here donated money and time to the effort, as well as offered women the opportunity to learn how to work the land.

SKU: 64644
Creator: Edward Penfield
Date: 1918
Original Medium: 1 print (poster) : lithograph, color
Location: Library of Congress