- elaineweiss.com
As men shipped out to fight in World War I, one of the responsibilities they left behind was maintaining the nation’s food supply. Women’s “land armies,” composed of “farmerettes”—and organized before the 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote— coalesced to fill the gap. Journalist Elaine Weiss covers the topic in her new book, Fruits of Victory: The Woman’s Land Army of America in the Great War. Weiss swings through town next week for a series of appearances where she’ll discuss various themes of the book: gender, local foods, and urban gardening. She’ll focus in particular on the Illinois chapter, led by Jane Addams, which established a training farm in Libertyville. Find more information here; highlights are after the jump.