How a military wife turned the Revolutionary War upside down — with a pen, a plan, and a whole lot of linen. Image:  Esther De Berdt Reed, 1848, The women of the American Revolution / by Elizabeth F. Ellet v. 1 Quick note:   this is Part 2: How America's earliest military wives turned conviction into collective action — and kicked off women's political organizing, one spinning wheel at a time.  Because this isn't just history — it's the origin story of military spouse history. The Revolutionary We Forgot to Mention When we picture the American Revolution, we usually imagine the big names — Washington, Adams, Hamilton, dramatically singing on a Broadway stage, and now Ken Burns’ documentary on the era. But tucked between the battles and political drama was Esther de Berdt Reed, Pennsylvania's First Lady and the founder of the Ladies’ Association of Philadelphia. She was a sharp-minded, British-born military wife who refused to sit quietly while history unfolded. Esther de Berdt Reed, Ladies Association of Philadelphia In 1780, she wrote a political broadside so bold that she signed it “An American Woman,” as if daring anyone to underestimate her. Although printed anonymously, the document is widely credited to Esther de Berdt Reed. Before Esther ever put ink to paper, she had already survived the Revolution in a far more personal way. During the British occupation of Philadelphia in 1777–78, she and her children were forced to flee the city as refugees. Nothing sharpens a woman’s sense of political stakes quite like being driven from her home. That experience — the fear, the uncertainty, the sense of everything slipping away — helps explain the fierce intensity and commitment that fueled her activism in the years that followed. A Pamphlet That Declared Women Were In the Revolution In 1780, Esther helped launch the Ladies’ Association of Philadelphia with the publication of a broadside titled The Sentiments of an American Woman . It wasn’t a recipe. It wasn’t embroidery patterns. It wasn’t “oh, poor us.” It was a rallying cry — a political and fundraising campaign rolled into one. The Sentiments of an American Woman., page 1 Esther declared that women were every bit as patriotic as the men fighting in the fourth year of the war. (Yes, this was scandalous — yes, she knew it.) She urged women to give up their luxuries and donate their savings to support the Continental Army. And women showed up. They answered the call. The Sentiments of an American Woman., page 2 The Sentiments of an American Woman   stands as a striking reminder that women didn’t just support the Revolution — they used fierce patriotism to demand political action and assert their own agency. “This is the offering of the Ladies,” she wrote. Translation: Put some respect on our contributions. 18th-Century “GoFundMe” Despite facing significant ridicule, Philadelphia’s canvass was completed in early July 1780. The women raised more than 300,000 Continental dollars from over 1,600 donors — worth only a few thousand in hard currency at the time, but still comparable to a serious six-figure fundraising drive today. A substantial sum for a war-torn economy. And this was not done quietly. These women were going door-to-door in their finest “don’t mess with me” energy. Esther proudly sent the news to General George Washington. Washington, being Washington, had opinions. He worried that giving money directly to soldiers would cause jealousy or disorder. Still, he understood how poorly supplied the troops were. Following his suggestion, the women used the funds to buy linen and sew shirts for the soldiers. So the women bought the linen and sewed the shirts — stretching every penny as only women with a mission (and six kids at home) can. Her movement caught fire. Inspired by Esther’s example — and encouraged by women like Martha Washington — women in Maryland, New Jersey, and Virginia formed similar fundraising associations. Esther may not have marched onto any battlefield, but she started a revolution of her own.   Plot Twist: Esther Saw Independence Coming Years Earlier Here’s where things get really interesting. Before The Sentiments of an American Woman   ever hit a printing press, Esther was already politically sharp. On October 28, 1775, in a letter to her brother Dennis in England, she analyzed British policies, colonial anger, and the future of Anglo-American trade like she’d been reading congressional minutes as bedtime stories. She described the moment as “filled with suspense and confusion” and warned, “We have a powerful enemy to contend with… everything that is dear to us is at stake.” Then she dropped a line that could have slipped seamlessly into a Founding Father’s speech: “I imagine we shall declare for independence, and exert our utmost to defend ourselves.” And she wrote this months  before many political leaders openly admitted that independence was inevitable. Her clarity showed she understood exactly what was happening in the world, the edge they were standing on, and what it meant for her family. Not bad for a military wife with six children and no voting rights.   A Short Life, A Long Legacy Possibly, Joseph Reed's obituary that mentions Esther: it reads, “the leader in the patriotic efforts of the Ladies’ Association of Philadelphia to extend comfort to the suffering army.” While her husband served as a colonel, Washington’s aide, and eventually President of Pennsylvania’s Supreme Executive Council, Esther stayed in Philadelphia to manage the household and lead one of the most ambitious women-led fundraising initiatives of the war. Tragically, in September 1780, she died from dysentery at just 34 years old. She never saw the full impact of her work — or how her organizing inspired generations of American women who would go on to build civic organizations, charitable societies, and political movements. After Esther’s death, Sarah Franklin Bache carried on the Ladies’ Association’s work, ensuring the project was completed. Some early historians, like Elizabeth Ellet, reduced Esther’s role to simply “supporting the army.” But Esther Reed was far more: a strategist, a fundraiser, a political thinker, and a woman who refused to wait for permission to help build a nation.   Why Esther Reed Still Matters Her story reminds us that patriotism wasn’t only fought with muskets. Sometimes it was fought with textiles, bold words, and the stubborn belief that women could — and should — shape the future of a country. Esther Reed didn’t whisper her patriotism. She printed it, organized it, showed her influence, and stitched it into every shirt that was delivered. And maybe, just maybe, it’s time we put her back into the story as a main character. Documenting 250 Years of Military Spouse Life. #MilitarySpouseHistory #HomefrontArchives #BehindTheUniforms #WomenOfTheRevolution  #EstherReed  #HerHistoryMatters #LadiesAssociationofPhiladelphia Images Engraving of Esther de Berdt Reed (1848) Credit: University of California via HathiTrust Digital Library.Original Author: Unknown engraver.Appears in The Women of the American Revolution  (Elizabeth F. Ellet, 1848).Source: Encyclopedia Virginia — “Esther de Berdt Reed.” Broadside: The Sentiments of an American Woman  (1780) Attributed to Esther de Berdt Reed.Printed in Philadelphia by John Dunlap, June 10, 1780.Held by the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Hazard Family Papers (Coll. 1398). Mrs. Esther Reed, T he Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Print Collection, The New York Public Library. New York Public Library Digital Collections. Further Reading Primary Sources Esther de Berdt Reed, The Sentiments of an American Woman  (Philadelphia, 1780). Digitized at the Library of Congress and the Museum of the American Revolution. George Washington to Esther Reed, July 14 and July 20, 1780. Founders Online (National Archives). Esther Reed to Dennis De Berdt, October 28, 1775. Secondary Sources & Biographical Overviews “Ladies’ Association of Philadelphia.” Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia.   Museum of the American Revolution — “Esther de Berdt Reed.” Rosemary Plakas, “Sentiments of an American Woman.” American Battlefield Trust — “Esther de Berdt Reed” & “The Ladies’ Association of Philadelphia.” Mary Beth Norton, “The Philadelphia Ladies Association.” Elizabeth F. Ellet, The Women of the American Revolution  (1848–50). Scholarly Studies Emily J. Arendt, “Ladies Going about for Money’: Female Voluntary Associations and Civic Consciousness in the American Revolution.” Journal of the Early Republic  34 (2014). Owen Ireland, Sentiments of a British-American Woman: Esther DeBerdt Reed and the American Revolution . Penn State University Press, 2017. Mary Beth Norton, Liberty’s Daughters  (1980). Kathryn Kish Sklar & Gregory Duffy, “How Did the Ladies Association of Philadelphia Shape New Forms of Women’s Activism?” (SUNY Binghamton, 2001). Rosemarie Zagarri, Revolutionary Backlash: Women and Politics in the Early American Republic . University of Pennsylvania Press, 2007.

Series:   Emergence of the Military Wife: How Women on the Homefront and the Battlefront Shaped the American Revolution   Author’s Note: adapted from my academic paper, “From Footnotes to the Spotlight: The Agency and Influence of Revolutionary War Military Wives.” I argue that  military wives’ labor, leadership, and resilience did not merely support military efforts—they fundamentally transformed the early American military foundation and redefined the very meaning of service on the home front. Revolution at Home: How Enlightenment Ideals Empowered Women Thomas Paine, The Writings of Thomas Paine, Collected and Edited by Moncure Daniel Conway (New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1894). Vol. 1. When Thomas Paine  declared, “We have it in our power to begin the world over again,” He wasn’t just being poetic — he was daring society to start over. His words rang through the American Revolutionary Era , a time when Enlightenment ideals  collided with fear, hope, and chaos. Amid that upheaval, one overlooked group quietly held the Revolution together: women and the military wives . These “unsung women” juggled households, farms, and finances while their husbands fought for independence. They kept the home front alive, fought and the Patriot cause afloat. Take Martha Bratton , for example. While her husband fought under General Sumter, she guarded a secret cache of gunpowder in South Carolina. When Loyalists came to seize it, she didn’t flinch — she blew up the gunpowder herself! ( I will write more about her story later) “It was I who did it,” Martha replied. “ Let the consequence be what it will; I glory in having prevented the mischief contemplated by the cruel enemies of my country…” Her defiance protected her community but nearly cost her life. Stories like Bratton’s and so many more remind us that the Revolution wasn’t just fought with muskets on the battlefield. It was also fought with quick thinking, intellect, endurance, and the quiet courage of women who refused to remain on the margins of history. Seeds of Change: The Enlightenment’s Quiet Revolution The Age of Enlightenment  didn’t just rewrite philosophy — it reimagined human worth. Its ideals of reason, liberty, and equality cracked open old hierarchies, prompting women to question whether obedience was a virtue or a cage. Enter Rebecca Motte , After her husband’s death, her South Carolina home — seized by the British and renamed Fort Motte  — became a strategic stronghold. When Patriot troops needed to reclaim it, she offered to burn it down herself, even providing the flaming arrows! She burned down her own house! (I will write more about her story later) As Elizabeth Fries Ellet recounts, Mrs. Motte declared that she was “gratified with the opportunity of contributing to the good of her country and should view the approaching scene with delight.” Rebecca Motte's act of sacrifice brought Enlightenment ideals—like liberty, agency, and moral conviction —to life, proving that courage and leadership were not the sole province of men.  Enlightened Sparks — Ideas That Lit a Revolution To understand how such women emerged, we have to rewind to the Age of Enlightenment , that intellectual storm that rewrote power, faith, and reason itself. Thinkers like John Locke , Montesquieu , Rousseau , and later Mary Wollstonecraft  championed liberty and rational thought, shaping the minds of Jefferson , Franklin , and Madison . In 1714, a shipment of books — including works by Newton and Locke — arrived at Yale University , igniting what historians call the American Enlightenment.  It emphasized religious tolerance , individual liberty , and moral reason , planting the seeds of a new political consciousness. These ideas challenged authority—first kings and priests, then, quietly, husbands too. Mary Wollstonecraft and the Birth of Modern Feminist Thought A Vindication of the Rights of Woman with Strictures on Political and Moral Subjects (London: J. Johnson, 1792). In 1792, Mary Wollstonecraft  published A Vindication of the Rights of Woman , tearing into the hypocrisy of a world that celebrated liberty while denying education to women. She argued that women were not naturally inferior — they were made so  by lack of opportunity. Though Wollstonecraft wrote after  the American Revolution, her philosophy reflected the same Enlightenment current American women were already channeling in practice. (I will write more about her in another post ) Across the ocean, women like Mercy Otis Warren  and countless military wives  embodied those ideas daily — managing estates, finances, and survival in a world built to overlook them. The Enlightenment promised equality, though imperfectly. Yet, it laid the intellectual and moral foundation for the revolution within women themselves — the first sparks of what would become modern feminist thought. Documenting 250 Years of Military Spouse History Before women followed armies, they followed ideas. Revolution at Home explores how Enlightenment thought inspired colonial women to claim reason, education, and patriotism as their own — sparking a quiet revolution that reshaped the homefront and laid the groundwork for women’s civic identity. Today’s military spouses carry the same blend of endurance and purpose — proving that the legacy of Revolutionary women lives on in every homefront generation. To be continued:   Part II — A Revolution Within a Revolution: Women, War, and the Birth of the Military Wife #HerStoryInHistory  #MilitaryWivesInHistory #AmericanRevolutionWomen #MilitarySpouseHistory #HomefrontArchives #BehindTheUniforms Don't forget: On November 16, 2025, PBS will premiere The American Revolution, a new Ken Burns documentary reexamining the nation’s founding through untold perspectives—Burns looks at history from the bottom up, showing how the endurance of ordinary citizens also became the true test of patriotism. Images: Paine, T. (1776). Common Sense . In The Writings of Thomas Paine , Vol. 1, edited by Moncure Daniel Conway. G.P. Putnam’s Sons. Retrieved from https://oll.libertyfund.org/pages/1776-paine-common-sense-pamphlet Wollstonecraft, M. (1792). A Vindication of the Rights of Woman: With Strictures on Political and Moral Subjects . London: J. Johnson. Retrieved from https://oll.libertyfund.org/titles/wollstonecraft-a-vindication-of-the-rights-of-woman References and Further Reading: Harriet Branson Applewhite and Darline Gay Levy, Women and Politics in the Age of the Democratic Revolution  (University of Michigan Press, 1990). John Adams and Charles Francis Adams, The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States: Life of John Adams  (Boston: Little, Brown and Co., 1856). Elizabeth Fries Ellet, The Women of the American Revolution , vol. 1 (Williamstown, Mass: Corner House, 1980). Elizabeth Fries Ellet, The Women of the American Revolution , vol. 2 (New York, NY: Baker and Scribner, 1848). Heather Garrett, “Camp Followers, Nurses, Soldiers, and Spies: Women and the Modern Memory of the Revolutionary War,” History in the Making  9, no. 5 (January 2016). Jack A. Goldstone, Revolution and Rebellion in the Early Modern World  (University of California Press on Demand, 1991). Sarah Josepha Buell Hale, Woman’s Record: Or, Sketches of All Distinguished Women, from the Creation to A.D. 1868. Arranged in Four Eras. With Selections from Authoresses of Each Era , 2nd ed. (1860; repr., New York, NY: Harper & Brothers, 1860). Harvard University, “Enlightenment and Revolution,” The Pluralism Project , 2024. Linda K. Kerber, Women of the Republic: Intellect and Ideology in Revolutionary America  (Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 1996). Lisa L. Moore, Joanna Brooks, and Caroline Wigginton, Transatlantic Feminisms in the Age of Revolutions  (Oxford University Press, 2012). Kieron O’Hara, The Enlightenment: A Beginner’s Guide  (Simon and Schuster, 2012). Robert D. Farber University Archives and Special Collections, “Thomas Paine’s Common Sense , 1776” (Brandeis University, 2015). Esther Reed, The Sentiments of an American Woman  (Philadelphia: John Dunlap, 1780). Mary Wollstonecraft, A Vindication of the Rights of Woman With Strictures on Political and Moral Subjects  (Project Gutenberg eBook, 2002).

Series: Emergence of the Military Wife: How Women on the Homefront and the Battlefront Shaped the American Revolution Author’s Note: Continuing from “Revolution at Home — How Enlightenment Ideals Empowered Women.” Part II explores how those Enlightenment sparks ignited real revolutions for women — from the parlor to the battlefield. America in Crisis: The Age of Upheaval As to the history of the revolution, my ideas may be peculiar, perhaps singular. What do we mean by the revolution? The war? That was no part of the revolution; it was only an effect and consequence of it. The revolution was in the minds of the people, and this was affected from 1760 to 1775, in the course of fifteen years, before a drop of blood was shed at Lexington. — John Adams Before the first shots at Lexington, the Revolution was already underway — in the minds and hearts of the colonists. Between 1760 and 1775, economic strain, imperial arrogance, and Enlightenment ideas collided. This collision ignited the first successful transoceanic rebellion by a European colony against its empire. When the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776, a movement for rights became a war for nationhood. Yet, the thirteen colonies were a fragile alliance — divided in culture, class, and loyalty — struggling to forge unity under the pressure of empire. Resolution Establishing a Continental Army and Appointing a Commander-in-Chief, Rough Journal of the Continental Congress, June 13–15, 1775. Records of the Continental and Confederation Congresses and the Constitutional Convention (U.S. National Archives, 2024) The Continental Army , formed in 1775, embodied that experiment in national identity. About 250,000 men — including 5,000 African Americans — served during the eight-year conflict. (However, many African Americans sought freedom by joining the British, lured by Lord Dunmore’s 1775 proclamation.) The army’s ranks were diverse — farmers, merchants, and artisans — improvising their way toward independence. Despite hardships and short enlistments, they forged a national identity rooted not in bloodlines but in sacrifice. Redefining Patriotism: Women, Revolution, and the Politics of Courage The war raised once again the old question of whether a woman could be a patriot— that is, an essentially political person— and it also raised the question of what form female patriotism might take. — Linda K. Kerber The Enlightenment challenged kings, and women challenged the limits of citizenship. Historians Harriet Branson Applewhite and Darline Gay Levy reveal how the Revolution sparked new political consciousness among women. From Boston’s protest circles to Abigail Adams , who famously urged her husband to “remember the ladies,” women began to see patriotism as both personal and political . (Oh, there is so much more to Abigail's quote, and I can't wait to write about it!) Women led boycotts, wrote petitions, and raised funds — reshaping civic virtue into something domestic and defiant. Women like Hannah Griffitts , Esther de Berdt Reed , Martha Washington , and many more, whom I will discuss throughout this blog, turned writing and organizing into acts of rebellion. Frontispiece portrait of Phillis Wheatley from her 1773 book, “Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral.” The engraving, created by Scipio Moorhead, depicts Wheatley as both writer and thinker — a powerful symbol of intellect, race, and resilience in the age of revolution. (Library of Congress) Phillis Wheatley (not a military wife), an enslaved woman but unbroken individual, published poetry that defined liberty as both political and spiritual freedom — proving that intellect could be revolutionary. Their efforts expanded patriotism beyond the battlefield. It became a moral compass that included quills, kitchens, and quiet (and not so quiet) acts of resistance. Women’s Roles in the Revolution While men fought in the fields, women kept the cause alive at home, in camps, and on the battlefield. Camp followers — wives, mothers, and widows — were the army’s often unseen lifeline. They cooked, washed, nursed, and mended, doing the unglamorous work that not only kept soldiers active but also gave some women jobs and a sense of patriotism. Even Martha Washington endured brutal winters in military encampments, serving as a stabilizing presence for both her husband and his men. She wasn’t a “camp follower” in the enlisted sense (i.e., Margaret Cochran Corbin, Anna Maria Lane, Mary Ludwig Hays) but rather a symbolic and practical figure of endurance. General George Washington , in 1777, was initially frustrated by the “multitude of women…are a clog upon every movement,” but later recognized their indispensability. Eventually, Washington issued an order on September 8th, 1782, in which he often handled the camp followers differently from the active duty. He ordered officers to communicate directives directly to them "serjeants of the companys" to "communicate all orders of that nature to them"— a quiet acknowledgment that women were part of the military ecosystem. Eventually, we gain insight into Washington’s mindset shift (who always wanted his wife by his side during winter encampments) , as a letter (29 January 1783) to Robert Morris reveals that the wives of enlistees in the army were a significant morale issue for Washington. The Cries of the Women—the sufferings of their children—and the complaints of the Husbands would admit of no alternative. The latter with too much justice remarked "If pay is withheld from us, and Provisions from our Wives & Children we must all starve together; or commit Acts which may involve us in ruin"—Our Wives add they "could earn their Rations, but the Soldier—nay the officer—for whom they wash has nought to pay them." In a word, I was obliged to give Provisions to the extra women in these Regiments or lose by Desertion—perhaps to the Enemy—some of the oldest and best Soldiers in the Service. Washington issued an order on September 8th, 1782, in which he often handled the camp followers contrarily from the active duty. He expressed a desire to acquaint women with "serjeants of the companys" to "communicate all orders of that nature to them." As there are many orders for checking irregularities with which the women, as followers of the army, ought to be acquainted, the serjeants of the companys to which any women belong, are to communicate all orders of that nature to them, and are to be responsible for neglecting so to do. Women's (many enlisted military wives) fortitude transformed encampments into communities. These women proved that freedom wasn’t won by soldiers alone — it was sustained by everyone who believed in it. A Revolution Within the Revolution The Revolution promised liberty but delivered it unevenly. Still, for many women, it opened doors that could never be fully closed again. British satire of the 1774 Edenton Tea Party, where fifty-one women publicly pledged to boycott British goods — one of the earliest acts of female political unity in American history. In 1774 , the Ladies of Edenton in North Carolina (founded and organized by a military wife named Penelope Padgett Hodgson Craven Barker ) signed a public petition pledging to boycott British imports — a bold move that declared “the happiness of our country” was also their concern. Historian Danelle Gagliardi notes that wartime necessity turned domestic responsibility into civic action, pushing women from private life into public identity. They managed families, ran businesses, and organized relief — discovering political agency in the process. Yes, patriarchy lingered. So did slavery — shadowing every promise of liberty. But women, in all their complexity, lived the Revolution not as footnotes, but as fierce, feeling participants. Their stories twisted through race, region, and status: enslaved women and free women of color moved through shifting sands of power and false freedom, their very bodies negotiating liberty’s unfinished script. (More on that soon.) Urban streets hummed with rebellion, while rural homes bore quieter revolutions. Yet in every crevice of this fractured freedom, women found space — and made it sacred. They rose as thinkers, as voices, as warriors behind the lines. And perhaps most enduringly, as military wives who carried the Revolution not just in banners, but in their burdens. They weren’t merely part of the story. They were its pulse! Their courage fulfilled Paine’s radical hope: “We have it in our power to begin the world over again.” For many of these women and military wives, that new world began not on the battlefield but at home — where survival itself became a revolutionary act. Documenting 250 Years of Military Spouse History The story of America’s military wives didn’t end in 1783; it began there. With the conclusion of the Revolutionary War, the roles of military wives underwent significant evolution. They became pivotal figures (military spouses: men and women) not only in the shadow of war but also as active participants in shaping the nation's social fabric. From camp tents to modern deployments, they’ve carried the same banner: Agency, influence, endurance, ingenuity, devotion. They remain the quiet backbone of every fight for freedom in military history — then and now. Today’s military spouses carry the same mix of grit and purpose — showing that the legacy of Revolutionary women continues in every generation of the home front. #HerStoryInHistory #MilitaryWivesInHistory #AmericanRevolutionWomen #MilitarySpouseHistory #HomefrontArchives #BehindTheUniforms Don't forget: On November 16, 2025, PBS will premiere The American Revolution, a new Ken Burns documentary reexamining the nation’s founding through untold perspectives—Burns looks at history from the bottom up, showing how the endurance of ordinary citizens also became the true test of patriotism. Image Sources U.S. National Archives. (2024). 250th Anniversary of the U.S. Army. National Archives. https://visit.archives.gov/whats-on/explore-exhibits/250th-anniversary-us-army Philip Dawe. A Society of Patriotic Ladies, at Edenton in North * Carolina. London : Robert Sayer & J. Bennett, 1775. Mezzotint. Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. Public domain. View image on LOC References and Sources Applewhite, Harriet Branson, and Darline Gay Levy. Women and Politics in the Age of the Democratic Revolution. University of Michigan Press, 1990. Adams, John, and Charles Francis Adams. The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States: Life of John Adams. Boston: Little, Brown and Co., 1856. Ellet, Elizabeth Fries. The Women of the American Revolution, vol. 1. Williamstown, Mass: Corner House, 1980. Ellet, Elizabeth Fries. The Women of the American Revolution, vol. 2. New York, NY: Baker and Scribner, 1848. Garrett, Heather. “Camp Followers, Nurses, Soldiers, and Spies: Women and the Modern Memory of the Revolutionary War.” History in the Making 9, no. 5 (January 2016). Goldstone, Jack A. Revolution and Rebellion in the Early Modern World. University of California Press on Demand, 1991. Hale, Sarah Josepha Buell. Woman’s Record: Or, Sketches of All Distinguished Women, from the Creation to A.D. 1868. Arranged in Four Eras. With Selections from Authoresses of Each Era, 2nd ed. 1860; repr., New York, NY: Harper & Brothers, 1860. Harvard University. “ Enlightenment and Revolution. ” The Pluralism Project , 2024. Kerber, Linda K. Women of the Republic: Intellect and Ideology in Revolutionary America. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 1996. Moore, Lisa L., Joanna Brooks, and Caroline Wigginton. Transatlantic Feminisms in the Age of Revolutions. Oxford University Press, 2012. O’Hara, Kieron. The Enlightenment: A Beginner’s Guide. Simon and Schuster, 2012. Reed, Esther. The Sentiments of an American Woman. Philadelphia: John Dunlap, 1780. Robert D. Farber University Archives and Special Collections. “ Thomas Paine’s Common Sense, 1776. ” Brandeis University, 2015. Wollstonecraft, Mary. A Vindication of the Rights of Woman: With Strictures on Political and Moral Subjects. Project Gutenberg eBook, 2002. Primary Source Documents — Founders Online, National Archives: “* General Orders, 4 August 1777* .” https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-10-02-0508 . (Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 10, ed. Frank E. Grizzard, Jr. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 2000, pp. 496–497.) “* General Orders, 8 September 1782* .” https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/99-01-02-09417 . (Access document from The Papers of George Washington. ) “* From George Washington to Robert Morris, 29 January 1783* .” https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/99-01-02-10529 . (Access document from The Papers of George Washington. )

How America's earliest military wives turned conviction into collective action — and kicked off women's political organizing, one spinning wheel at a time. Quick note:  I started writing this thinking it would be a neat little one-post. Spoiler alert: It's not. There's way too much here for a single post. Consider this Part 1 of what will likely be a mini-series. Because this isn't just history — it's the origin story of military spouse history. So… what were Revolutionary wives actually doing? We know the basics of the American Revolution — powdered wigs, tea overboard, and Paul Revere galloping dramatically at midnight. But behind all the powdered and passionate patriotism were women. Especially wives , who weren't just sitting at home waiting for letters or asking permission from the battlefield. They were organizing, protesting, and quietly (or not-so-quietly) changing history.   Let's ask the fundamental questions: What were these women thinking? What pushed them to act? And how did people react when they did?  (See why I cant just write one little post?) "The war raised once again the old question of whether a woman could be a patriot—that is, an essentially political person—and it also raised the question of what form female patriotism might take." — Linda K. Kerber (Historian & Writer ) Two Historians Walk Into a Revolution… I can 't seem to find my Kerber book. But you can see my notes peeking through in Norton's book. Mary Norton and Linda K. Kerber wrote two foundational books in 1996 on Revolutionary women ( Liberty's Daughters  and Women of the Republic ), and when asked how their takes differed, Norton said this: "Kerber saw it as half empty. I saw it as half full."   Iconic.  That metaphor stuck with me — not just for understanding historians' views, but for how women at the time  saw their own roles. For some, the Revolution was an opening—a way to step into public life (e.g., Mercy Otis Warren). Others saw it as another moment they'd be called on to support men's movements, with no promise of equality in return. Spoiler: Both views were valid.   Some women were out there making noise. Others worked within their "acceptable"  roles — spinning, sewing, boycotting — and turned those acts into pure political fire. Together, they created a version of patriotism that didn't need a musket to be revolutionary. Revolutionary Housewives: They Came, They Spun, They Protested The earliest known reference to the Daughters of Liberty appears in  The Boston Chronicle  on April 7, 1766. It reports that on March 12, in Providence, Rhode Island, “18 Daughters of Liberty, young ladies of good reputation, assembled at the house of Doctor Ephraim Bowen. Enter the Daughters of Liberty  — think of them as the unofficial secret club of women who said, " You know what? We can fight, too. We just don't need uniforms to do it." They weren't out in the streets rioting (though some probably wanted to be). Instead, they used what they had — spinning wheels, teapots, and purchasing power. They held spinning bees (yes, that's a thing), where they gathered to make homespun cloth rather than buy British imports. It was a form of protest wrapped up in domestic normalcy. And it worked .   In 1767, the Massachusetts Gazette wrote about elite women spinning together, proudly choosing American-made cloth over imported finery. In Rhode Island, women were "laudably employed"  on a musical instrument called… the spinning wheel.   What About Tea? Oh, They Had Thoughts & Opinions Made for the American market after the 1766 repeal of the Stamp Act, this teapot reflects how the domestic ritual of tea drinking became a political act in pre-Revolutionary America. [National Museum of American History.] A few things united colonial women, like their deep love of tea and their even deeper resentment  of having to pay taxes on it (remember purchasing power) . After the 1773 Tea Act , women put their cups down and said, "No thanks, King George." Instead of sipping British East India tea, they brewed "liberty tea"  — made from raspberry leaves, herbs, and pure spite.   They even turned down tea at social gatherings and proudly served New England rum  instead. (Clearly, these ladies knew how to host a protest…  Oh, to be a fly on those walls. ) And this wasn't just symbolic. These small rebellions built the momentum that led to the Boston Tea Party  — with Sarah Bradlee Fulton  (aka the "Mother of the Boston Tea Party" ) reportedly suggesting the Sons of Liberty dress as Mohawk Indians to avoid detection. Revolutionary cosplay? Absolutely (however, also offensive to the Mohawk Indians ). Sadly, Smart strategy? Also, yes.   Patriotism by Wardrobe Let's talk fashion. Revolutionary women were no longer about imported silks and sparkly ribbons. Homespun gowns became a political statement — one that said, "We don't need your overpriced British lace, thank you very much." In fact, the Virginia Gazette  praised the women of Williamsburg who showed up to a ball wearing homespun. It called their outfits a shining example of "public virtue and private economy."   Translation: "These ladies are stylish and revolutionary." Some women even refused to date (or marry) men who didn't oppose British taxation. Imagine turning someone down at the local barn dance because they drank taxed tea- Iconic behavior.   The Political Was Personal — and Domestic What makes all of this even more incredible? These women didn't abandon their traditional roles — they expanded  them. One Massachusetts woman reportedly did all the morning work of her large household, made cheese, carried her spinning wheel two miles, and spun all day before heading home to milk her cows. That's a whole protest and  a workout before dinner. They proved that political organizing could live in the kitchen, in the parlor, in the sewing circle.  Their labor, choices, and refusals were as strategic as any battlefield plan.   So, What's the Legacy? While most visible in New England and led mainly by elite white women (because they had the platform and literacy to be recorded), the Revolution also impacted enslaved women, Indigenous women, and working-class women , who made sacrifices that went largely undocumented. It is their history that truly interest me.   Even with those limitations, the women we can study show us how deeply they shaped the movement — using their social lives, their clothing, and even their dating standards to push back against British rule. They laid the groundwork for future political organizing, all while raising kids, running farms, and hosting spinning bees. One writer in 1769 said it best: "There was never a time when…the Spinning wheel could more influence the affairs of men, than at present."   What's Next? We're just getting started. Next up in this series: we'll dive into the Edenton Tea Party  (yes, Southern women got loud too- no shock there), the Ladies' Association of Philadelphia , and how women used charity as power . Spoiler:  They raised more money for the Continental Army than most states. Stay tuned — because Revolutionary wives weren't just helpmates in petticoats. They were the architects of early American resistance and the foundation to the Continental Army. Documenting 250 Years of Military Spouse History. #HomefrontArchives #BehindTheUniforms#LibertyTea #HerstoryMatters #RevolutionaryWomen #MilitarySpouseHistory #DaughtersOfLiberty   P.S. Yes — all of this still resonates. (I wish I could just leave it, but I can't). Today, we still see women (military spouses) stepping up in times of uncertainty, often behind the scenes, balancing family, labor, and advocacy. Military spouses continue to organize, build networks, and speak truth to power — often without recognition. Just like their Revolutionary foremothers, they’re expected to serve quietly while history is written loudly. Maybe it’s time we rewrite that. Images ScholarGPT. AI-generated image of Revolutionary women engaging in political action during the American Revolution. National Museum of American History. “No Stamp Act” Teapot, ca. 1766–1770.  Ceramic creamware teapot made in England, likely by Cockpit Hill Factory. Home and Community Life Collection. Smithsonian Institution. https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a1-4e08-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa Primary Sources “Excerpt from the Virginia Gazette (December 14, 1769).” Encyclopedia Virginia.  December 7, 2020. https://encyclopediavirginia.org/primary-documents/excerpt-from-the-virginia-gazette-december-14-1769/ “MHS Collections Online: The Massachusetts Gazette Extraordinary.” No. 3351, December 24, 1767. Boston: Richard Draper, 1767. 37.5 cm x 24 cm. Massachusetts Historical Society. https://www.masshist.org/database/viewer.php?item_id=256&pid=2&br=1 Massachusetts Historical Society. The Annotated Newspapers of Harbottle Dorr: The Boston-Gazette, and Country Journal,  April 7, 1766. Page 378. https://www.masshist.org/database/undefined Secondary Resources Applewhite, Harriet Branson, and Darline Gay Levy. Women and Politics in the Age of the Democratic Revolution.  Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 1990. Daughters of the American Revolution. “Searching the DAR Americana Collection and NSDAR Archives.” https://www.dar.org/archives/searching-dar-americana-collection-and-nsdar-archives “Daughters of Liberty.” Center for Women’s History.  July 3, 2020. https://womensmuseumca.org/first-in-their-field-margaret-bourke-white-2/ Draper, Hal. “Women and Class: Towards A Socialist Feminism.” Edited by Anne Lipow. Marxists’ Internet Archive,  1976. Egner, Kate. “The Daughters of Liberty.” American Battlefield Trust.   https://www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/daughters-liberty Gundersen, Joan R. To Be Useful to the World: Women in Revolutionary America, 1740–1790.  Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 2006. Kerber, Linda K. Women of the Republic: Intellect and Ideology in Revolutionary America.  Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 1996. Norton, Mary Beth. Liberty’s Daughters: The Revolutionary Experience of American Women, 1750–1800: With a New Preface.  Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 1996. Ramsbey, Thomas W. “The Sons of Liberty: The Early Inter-Colonial Organization.” International Review of Modern Sociology  17, no. 2 (1987). “Women in the 16th, 17th, and 18th Centuries: Introduction.” Feminism in Literature: A Gale Critical Companion.   Encyclopedia.com .

A Journey Through Chaos, Curiosity, and Cat Fur By Melissa — Army BRAT, USAF Veteran, Military Spouse, Aggie Mom, and Full-Time Cat Butler This selfie marks the moment it all began—the day I knew I wanted to create a blog and share the untold history of military spouses. Monday, September 26, 2022, at 3:27 PM—a quiet yet defining moment when passion became purpose. The real challenge was figuring out how to make it happen amidst the constraints of time and money. Hello there, friend. I’m Melissa—a U.S. Air Force veteran, retired military spouse, proud Aggie mom, and full-time cat butler to three demanding furballs who think they run the house (they’re not wrong). After my husband wrapped up 26 years in the Air Force in 2021, we finally did something strange and almost mythical in military life: we unpacked.  For real. No more boxes labeled "Kitchen?" that contain ski boots, or “Files” that are actually holiday ornaments. We settled down in College Station, Texas, and for the first time in a very long time, we didn’t have to ask, “ Wait, what country are we living in again?” and “ Who can I use for an emergency contact?” Once the chaos quieted, reflection kicked in. I began thinking about all the pieces that made up our journey—the deployments, the family missed milestones, the “see-you-soon's that always came too fast, and the unexpected joys of base life: potlucks, porch chats, and friendships forged under pressure — and grief. That reflection grew into something deeper. I began exploring our family's military history, focusing not just on the medals and timelines, but also on the quiet grit of the people who wore the uniform and who stood alongside it. I realized something: the stories of military spouses—especially women like my mother and mother-in-law—are rarely shared with the depth and dignity they deserve. These are stories of humor, flexibility, heartbreak, and unwavering grit. And they matter. My Story, In Boxes My Adventure: My Military Life Military life didn’t just shape me—it built me, challenged me, and taught me that if you open enough boxes labeled "Files," you'll eventually find the other boot..or a spoon...or two. I come from a military family, served in the Air Force myself, and spent over 26 years as a military spouse. We've lived in Germany, Japan, Hong Kong, and more ZIP codes than I can count—thank goodness for Amazon address lists! We raised a daughter overseas, her childhood packed into shipping crates, blue bags and airport terminals. Our pets survived cross-continental moves. And somehow, my ever-growing collection of books (and my daughter's stuffed animals) always made the weight limit (barely). Along the way, I earned a BA with a focus on Southeast Asian history, a master’s in history with a concentration in military history, became a certified Conversation English teacher, and a certified Master Resilience Trainer with the USAF. My career isn’t a straight line—it’s a world tour of skills, duty stations, lost opportunities and reinvention. Think of my résumé as a passport: stamped with experiences, packed with adaptability, and powered by a military spouse’s get-it-done energy. I’ve turned PCS moves into logistics masterclasses and “starting over” into an Olympic event. But perhaps most importantly, I became a collector—not just of souvenirs, friendships, or books, but of moments: the tearful goodbyes, the wild laughter during chaos, drama and the quiet strength and loud loneliness that can only be witnessed in the in-between. Finding Stories in the Silence Every veteran and spouse finds their own thing, a coping mechanism, and mine was my camera. Photography became my therapy, my creative outlet, and eventually, my mission. I picked up the camera to preserve moments, and ended up capturing an entire way of life that often slips between the ceremonies and the airports. It was not a job – it was escapism. Today, I’m the Curator of Military History at a nonprofit military museum, where I merge academic research with lived experiences. My mission now is simple: To honor the history and the people behind the service. Not just the uniformed heroes, but the ones holding the camera, carrying the load, and finding ways to laugh when the power goes out mid-pack-out…or the washing machine floods your kitchen two days after your spouse deploys. This Blog Is For You Aren't we all a "Hot Mess" This is my little corner of the internet where history meets humor , good, bad, and the ugly truth...where the past isn’t dusty—it’s deeply personal.  Whether you're a military spouse, veteran, military kid, history nerd, or someone who just loves a good story (and maybe a sarcastic cat), you’re welcome here. Let’s explore the stories that don’t always get told—the ones in the margins, the ones that kept us going, the ones that made us who we are. So grab a cup of coffee (or an old-fashioned, wine, or tea, whatever is your fancy, no judgment here), settle in, and prepare to laugh, cry, and maybe discover what's really in that box labeled "Misc.” AND...if you don't like it...Scroll on– It 's all good. Welcome to my life after the military. ~Mel #MilitarySpouseHistory #HomefrontArchives #BehindTheUniforms #MilSpouseHistory #HistoryMatters

Sass, Grit & Footnotes from My Library Coffee-stained, unapologetically cheeky, and sometimes brutally honest — stick around for the rest of the story, because history waits for no one. Cheers! My library isn’t just a personal reading list. It’s my bookish war room—where military history collides with raw reality, underlined passages, late-night tea stains, and the occasional bourbon spill and empty Sonic Cherry Limeades cups. If you're looking for a polished, parade-ground version of military history, you won’t find it here. That is not me. What will you  find? A curated chaos of military memoirs, academic deep-dives, obscure journals, emotional gut punches, and the kind of books and dissertations that make you whisper, Wait—why am I just now finding out about this? As a veteran, military spouse, and historian, I’ve been exploring the untold and under-told aspects of military history—stories that often don’t appear in textbooks, military journals, or LinkedIn articles... perhaps a glimpse on social media. I had to go off-road —into archives, footnotes, secondhand stores, and digital wormholes — to find them. And now? I’m sharing them with you. What’s On the Shelves? Whether you're a seasoned researcher, a military spouse hungry for representation, or a reader who loves to question the standard narrative, this library is for you. Expect titles that: Tell the truth —memoirs that don’t sugarcoat (or ones that try a bit too  hard to). Challenge the canon —academic works that open up new frameworks. Whisper the forgotten —letters and journals that remind us of who else  was there. Dig deeper into histories that go beyond the “great man”, timelines, and troop movements. Finally, say it — “Hey, military spouses exist. And they did stuff, too...more than bake sales and Coffee meet and greets.” Some books I love. Others frustrate me. All of them made me think. My Library space is about reckoning with the material, not blindly agreeing with it. It’s a journey through perseverance, service, sacrifice, and the quiet places in between. What to Expect I’ll continue to add to the library and highlight selected titles through regular blog posts. Some posts will explore what a specific book got so right . Others may unpack why a particular text fell short or how it helped shift my own research lens. Read, reflect, overshare... repeat. So, grab your coffee or bourbon (no judgment), kick off those combat boots, heels, or slippers... I’m a flip-flop girl myself , and go ahead and browse. Warning: this might provoke strong opinions and trigger an immediate urge to share a quote or conversation with someone. One Final Note My Library is a tribute to the unpolished truths, the sidelined voices, and the relentless researchers and historians who continue to fight to bring those stories to light. If nothing else, let’s crack open the locked filing cabinets of American military history—and see what falls out. Here’s to read, reflect, and repeat

Wars aren't just fought with weapons and war rooms. Behind every campaign, there's another kind of fight — one led by spouses who raised funds, wrote letters, lobbied lawmakers, and, in some cases, picked up arms. Their stories haven't always been included in military history books. It's time they did. It's time! We often hear about the medals, the missions, and the military leaders. But while soldiers served on the front lines, a different kind of leadership was happening at home and behind the uniforms. Military spouses — many without formal training or official roles — stepped into activism with conviction and creativity. They didn't wait to be asked. They acted because they had to. A Society of Patriotic Ladies, at Edenton in North Carolina . Artwork by Philip Dawe. London: Printed for R. Sayer & J. Bennett, March 25, 1775. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division. From the Revolutionary War to the Cold War and Vietnam, their work had a profound influence on everything from troop morale to national policy. They fundraised, organized protests, lobbied for pensions and freedoms, and sometimes even helped guide diplomacy — all while their significant other wore a uniform. They weren't bystanders. They were political players — and they changed history, whether or not they were credited for it.   Stepping into the public arena wasn't easy (and it still isn’t easy) — or always welcome. These spouses often faced backlash, suspicion, and even danger. Challenging social norms, “customs and courtesies,” questioning military decisions, or speaking out in male-dominated spaces came with real risks.   Some spouses were seen as out of line, unpatriotic, or simply "too loud." Yet, they did it anyway. Military Spouses as Agents of Activism Wherever the military goes, politics follows — and spouses were already there or stepping in long before they are invited or notified. The sentiments of an American woman. 1780. In the 18th century, while Congress debated, Esther Reed  was out raising hard cash for Washington's Army — more than some states managed to deliver. She rallied entire cities to bankroll the Continental Army, proving that agency and influence weren't confined to Congress or command tents.  Penelope Barker , leader of the Edenton Tea Party, organized one of the clearest examples of women's political action in the 1770s.   Rebecca Franks , a prominent Loyalist hostess, used her social salon, poetry, and correspondence to shape political opinion.  Then there were women like Margaret Corbin  and Mary Hays  — better known as "Molly Pitcher" — who weren't in it for recognition. They just stepped up when it mattered. Their names appear on pension rolls today, quiet proof that “yes, I was there too.”   Nancy Hart, a Heroine of the Revolution . Drawn by Felix Octavius Carr Darley. [1857]. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division In the 19th century, generals' wives weren't just managing households — they were shaping public discourse. Varina Davis , Jessie Benton Frémont , Mary Logan , and others influenced political opinion, ran relief efforts, and fought for the futures of veterans. Women's Meeting, Cooper Union Hall, New York City, New YorkApril 25, 1861:  Illustration depicting the formation of the Women’s Central Association of Relief. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Chennault, Anna. Anna Chennault’s Diary, 1957 . Anna Chennault Papers, Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University. Photos by Kevin Grady. Fast-forward to the 20th century, and figures like Anna Chennault , Katherine Tupper Marshall , Josephine Crane , Sybil Stockdale , Julia Compton Moore,   Bonnie Carroll , and many others took part in high-stakes diplomacy, shaped policy, and pushed for humanitarian reform. There are so many others who quietly stepped up through the eras that their names have been lost to history. I hope I can bring light to those individuals also.  Activism wasn't part of the plan — it wasn't in the wedding vows or the family playbook. But when the need arose, they acted. Not because they were asked, but because they saw no other choice. They filled the need instinctively, helping not only their fellow spouses and families but themselves as well. If it hadn't been them... then who? They weren't silent. They weren't sidelined. If anything, they risked a lot. Making them far more than supporting characters. Why Link Operational and Social Histories? Pulling these stories together changes the very idea of what counts as "military history." Wars aren’t just won on battlefields and in war rooms.   They are shaped at kitchen tables, through unofficial conversations, diplomacy, and sometimes over stiff drinks, midnight discussions, and “loud” petition drives — places that military history books often overlook. President Nixon meets with POW wives : Carole Hansen, Louise Mulligan, Sybil Stockdale, Andrea Rander, and Mary Mearns in December 1969. Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum.  Military spouses wrote to presidents, showed up on Capitol Hill, organized relief efforts, and turned their homes into hubs of political action. And today, they've taken that activism online, building networks on platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and Substack.   Their imprint is everywhere — and it proves that America's military history can't be told without them. This series explores how military spouses have shaped American military history through their roles as political activists and advocates—from colonial-era fundraisers to Cold War diplomacy. Each article highlights the men and women whose efforts made a real difference, showing that activism didn’t just happen on the battlefield. It happened in homes, through letters, in protests, and in policy. Am I breaking entirely new ground? Not exactly. What am I  doing then? I am piecing together sources, digging through military history archives, and pointing to books that tackle this very topic—bringing attention to the often-overlooked contributions of military spouses, the people who quietly, but powerfully, helped shape American military history. Military history isn’t just about those in uniform; it’s also about the people behind and beside them. The military machine doesn’t operate in a vacuum—it depends on the network of stakeholders, advocates, supporters, and voices that sustain it. (sometimes these individuals are called the untapped resource – IYKYK) So moving forward, if wars are shaped at kitchen tables as much as on battlefields, the Revolutionary War was the first proof. Next up: “Sentiments of an American Woman: Revolutionary Wives and the Birth of Political Organizing”   — a look at how the earliest military spouses turned conviction into collective action. P.S. Homefront Archives   is a digital history project dedicated to telling the stories of America's military spouses — from the Revolution to today. This isn't about lifestyle tips or base resources. It's about history, told from behind the uniform. #MilitarySpouseHistory #HiddenFiguresOfWar #HomefrontActivism #BeyondTheBattlefield #WomenInHistory #HomefrontArchives #BehindTheUniforms _____________________________________________________________ Sources Sayer, Robert, and John Bennett, publishers. A Society of Patriotic Ladies, at Edenton in North Carolina.  Artwork by Philip Dawe. London: Printed for R. Sayer & J. Bennett, March 25, 1775. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division, Washington, D.C. http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.print . Jones, Fitz Edwin, engraver. Nancy Hart, a Heroine of the Revolution.  Drawn by Felix Octavius Carr Darley. 1857. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division, Washington, D.C. http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.print . Women’s Meeting, Cooper Union Hall, New York City, New York.  April 25, 1861. Illustration depicting the formation of the Women’s Central Association of Relief. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division, Washington, D.C. http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.print . Internet Archive. “Madeleine Vinton Dahlgren.” From Immortelles of Catholic Columbian Literature  (1887), by Mother Seraphine Leonard, The Ursulines of New York. Photograph submitted by Allen C. Browne, August 11, 2018. The Historical Marker Database.   https://www.hmdb.org/PhotoFullSize.asp?PhotoID=439681 . Chennault, Anna. Anna Chennault’s Diary, 1957.  Anna Chennault Papers. Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University. Photos by Kevin Grady. Catalog record: http://id.lib.harvard.edu/aleph/009400814/catalog . https://schlesinger75radcliffe.org/objects/anna-chennaults-diary-1957 . Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum. President Nixon Meets with POW Wives Carole Hansen, Louise Mulligan, Sybil Stockdale, Andrea Rander, and Mary Mearns,  December 1969. Featured in The League of Wives: Vietnam’s POW/MIA Advocates & Allies,  exhibition at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, March 2–September 2, 2019. https://virginiahistory.org/exhibitions/league-wives .

“What is obvious is not always known, and what is known is not always present.” — Samuel Johnson (1755), cited by Edward Samuel Farrow, Military Historian(1885) Hannah Snell (1723–1792) was a British woman who disguised herself as a man and became a soldier In the "meticulous" world of military history—so often characterized by precision, hierarchy, and chronology—this quote strikes a curious chord. Edward Samuel Farrow, a 19th-century military historian, invoked Samuel Johnson’s words to underscore a timeless truth: that even in structured disciplines, the obvious is often unseen, and what we know may not be where we need it most. Farrow's insight holds a particular weight in military contexts, where forgotten lessons can lead to grave consequences. Strategies overlooked, patterns dismissed, or narratives untold—all can distort our understanding of conflict and sacrifice. But Farrow’s own work, for all its rigor, is a case in point: even he misses what’s been hidden in plain sight-woman and the wives. The "Invisible" Half of the Story Across centuries of warfare, women have been deeply embedded in the military landscape—not only as nurses, laundresses, or camp followers, but as active agents of resilience, labor, and at times, even combat. They managed finances, cooked, carried, comforted, and fought. Some followed husbands into war zones, others enlisted in disguise. Still others sustained the home front, becoming the logistical, financial, spies, and emotional backbone of armies that never formally recognized them. And yet, flip through the pages of most traditional American military histories, and their presence is ghostly—if it exists at all. Could it be that their roles were so familiar, so “obvious,” that they became invisible? Knowledge Hidden in Plain Sight The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah), 31 July 1910. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers . Lib. of Congress. Farrow’s citation of Johnson invites us to consider not just what history remembers, but who  it remembers. If knowledge is only knowledge when it is present—accessible, cited, taught—then these women’s stories have long been trapped in a kind of historical purgatory. Only known to those who saw them, perhaps, but not present in our books, museums, or monuments. Their absence isn't just an oversight. It’s a consequence of a long tradition of defining military value through masculine, institutional, and battlefield-centered lenses. Yet, to truly understand the full machinery of war, we have to shift our gaze beyond the marching columns and battlefields to include the people who stitched uniforms, buried the dead, kept the fires burning, and waited with hope or dread. Making the Invisible Visible Again “America’s First Woman Soldier,” Page 11, Grand Forks Herald (Grand Forks, ND), July 7, 1917. Today’s historians, journalist and military spouses themselves are working to recover the lives that have been overlooked, but much remains to be done. Farrow's quote grounds this reflection, acting as both a warning and a prompt for action: what seems obvious is not always known. As readers, scholars, and storytellers, it is our responsibility to bring it to light . To reinstate what was once apparent but absent back into existence. By rethinking what constitutes “military history,” we also reconsider what constitutes contribution, courage, and consequence. Let’s remember that history is not just what was recorded, but also what was forgotten. And sometimes, what is forgotten is the most obvious truth of all. #MilitarySpouseHistory #HomefrontArchives #BehindTheUniforms References Images:   Stephens, Mattew. “About the Author.” Hannah Snell: Britain’s Most Famous Female Sea Soldier..., http://www.hannahsnell.com/about-the-author.html . The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah), 31 July 1910. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers . Lib. of Congress. < https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045396/1910-07-31/ed-1/seq-15/ > Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.), 07 July 1917. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers . Lib. of Congress. < https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85042414/1917-07-07/ed-1/seq-11/ >

Captured this look, then used the Arvin App to style it. Quotes, Footnotes & Righteous Rage — The Remix   “Hold my beer” actually  pairs just fine with my love of bourbon, whisky, and a properly built Old Fashioned—with a dark cherry, of course. I frequently get asked who this blog or my research is for, so let me clarify that. Let's be real—this is part love letter, part war cry, and a historical mixtape of all the stories that got left behind. I'm diving deep, flipping dusty pages, and asking the questions no one wanted to explore—especially those individuals who told me Military spouse history is "Ridiculous." For me and ...   history rebels — To my fellow historians: the footnote fanatics, the archive addicts, the ones who get an actual rush  from touching a primary source (you know who you are) — welcome. You are so  in the right place. To the female veterans and military spouses — my sisters in camo and chaos, in combat boots and heels... or flip-flops. You’ve been through it all — the briefings, the TDYs, the deployments, the cross-country moves, the awkward spouse socials, and the legendary potlucks and coffees...so many coffees! This space? It’s yours. You’re not alone — not today, and not in History. To military scholars and gender researchers — if you’re here to uncover the stories that have been left out of official narratives and sidelined– pull up a chair and bring your best sources. We're diving deep — into the messy, gritty, uncomfortable stuff that makes the story real. And to the students, educators, and curious minds — if you’ve ever stopped and asked, “Wait... women and military spouses did what?” then welcome, friend. Buckle up — you’re in for one hell of a ride. Finally, the doubters— the ones who told me I didn't "get " or "understand" Military History, the ones who called my research on military spouse history "was a stupid idea". Thank you. No, seriously. You fueled my pursuit of a master's degree in Military History, this blog, and an obsession with finding the women —the military spouses —and the stories you choose to ignore. I raise my bourbon to you all– Cheers!     Welcome to the end of whispers. Loud, proud, and peer-reviewed — just how history should be.   ~Mel #MilitarySpouseHistory #HomefrontArchives #BehindTheUniforms #MilitaryHistory

I like this photo, it is from our tour in Hong Kong. [MAB] Not Your Typical Military Reading List People often ask, “Before you started this history project, what did you read—as a military spouse, not in uniform yourself?” Well, my bookshelf was less of a “military library” and more of an “eclectic wildflower garden.” History books stood at attention—women’s, military, Russian, and Asian history side by side. A row of children’s books for my daughter lined the lower shelves. Anne Rice’s moody vampires and sultry witches, Harry Potter’s magical portkeys, and Janet Evanovich’s quick wit shared space with Suzanne Collins’s dystopias— all ready to whisk me away when I needed an escape. What didn't  you find  on my bookshelf? Military spouse handbooks, guidebooks, cookbooks with titles like How to Feed 30 People with Two Cans of Beans. Sure, I thumbed through the ones gifted to me, and many were highly recommended—but they never floated my boat. Not because I thought I was above them, but because the stories didn’t reflect my life—or the lives of my friends. (Until I read Campfollower , and my perspective shifted.) Why the Spouse Books Didn’t Fit When I searched for relatable voices early in my military life, nothing quite resonated. Many were written by officer spouses—which I wasn’t—or by people who hadn’t moved (PCS) as often as I had, even if they’d weathered their own deployment storms. The enlisted spouse I knew didn’t match my reality either. Sure, there were similarities—you know, the “same same, but different”—but nothing felt like my story. I don’t think I’m a unicorn or special; I was a known factor in the military—a military spouse who was always present—but being obvious doesn’t always mean being understood.   And here’s the kicker: I’m an Air Force wife and  a USAF veteran. The transition from wearing the uniform to not wearing one... completely changed my journey– Different plane, different crew. Same Ocean, Different Boats (and Aircraft)   (ok, not to be cheesy, but the metaphor works.) Same Ocean, Different Boats (and Aircraft) [Created by Homefront Archives.] Being a military spouse is like sharing the same ocean while piloting wildly different vessels—or aircraft. Some are steady cruise liners; others, tugboats muscling through waves. Some paddle a solo canoe with one oar and a questionable life jacket. Some have been trained to navigate the water and the air better than others, and some can fake it better than others. Some have large support systems, while others have only themselves—and maybe a dog or cat. And some are simply alone and stuck. Military spouses have long played vital roles in the defense community, yet their contributions are rarely documented or acknowledged. They deserve their own chapter in military history—not just for recognition, but to influence how we teach, honor, and create policies related to military missions and life. By including their roles, stories, and contributions, we can improve public understanding, enrich educational and leadership programs, and ensure policies accurately reflect the realities of military life. All military spouses face the same weather—but the experience feels different depending on the crew, the vessel, the information they have, the rank, the support system—and who’s standing beside them. It’s not better or worse—just different. We each weather our own storms, find our own ports of call—and that’s what makes our stories worth telling. Yet I never found a book, poem, or memoir that truly resonated—and that frustration lingered. I Steppped Away to See Clearly (and check my bias) Stepping away from the military machine after retirement gave me room to hear my own voice again—away from the noise, expectations, pressures, and politics. It let me take stock of what I gave, what I gained, what I lost, and what I learned—and to see what others did that I hadn’t, or what I was simply unaware of. That clarity is my compass now, guiding me to listen, dig deeper, preserve stories, and ask the questions that matter. My Present-Day Landscape My Present-Day Bookshelf These days, I read whatever military spouse materials I can find for research. I still haven’t found a book that would have helped me back then. But new voices are emerging—through blogs, podcasts, and YouTube—offering encouragement, hard truths, and, occasionally, there are still those who are unhelpful and bitter, which chips away at the community rather than strengthening it. The Table, the Nameplate, and the Water Pitcher The military loves to talk about “inclusion,” but let’s be honest—that table is often more stage prop than strategy. Spouses get a nameplate, a few polite questions, coffee or tea, maybe a snack. Pens scribble, phones tap, heads nod, and the water pitcher circulates like clockwork. For a while, it feels like you’re being heard—like your voice might actually matter. But eventually, you realize that because of time, manning and money, nothing ever comes from the meeting. The real decisions happen somewhere else, leaving the “included” sipping their tea, wondering if they even need that nameplate or childcare. There will be people who disagree, who argue that inclusion works differently for them—but I can only speak from my own experience, the stories others have shared with me, and the historical research I’ve studied. Rank—still matters more than advocacy. It’s time to change that. Spouses aren’t just supporters; they’re part of the base, part of the mission, and often the glue that holds the community together. Many bring more than smiles, small talk, and cheeky comebacks— they bring strategy, leadership, and vision. A Little Turbulence for Perspective My comment about “optics” might ruffle some feathers—fasten your seatbelts—but turbulence can provide perspective. Some will say, “Things have changed; it’s not like that anymore.” After four years of retirement, I’ll gently disagree:  the structure hasn’t changed much; it just gets a fresh coat of paint every few years. Over more than 20 years, I’ve watched programs launch with fanfare—bells, whistles, and photo ops—only to quietly collapse, their cracks covered by a metaphorical military band-aid. The cycle repeats because military spouses rarely study their own history. We don’t often read the stories of other spouses (me included); we skim military histories and reports, cherry-pick the condensed versions, and often skip the footnotes and margins that actually include us. If the military wants a stronger community, higher morale, and better recruitment, it needs to remember one thing: military spouses aren’t just passive cheerleaders on the sidelines—they’re stakeholders, and it’s time they’re treated like it. Military spouses navigate their own vessels through the same military storms, logging their own missions and milestones. It’s time their chapter isn’t just read—it’s written into the logbook of military history, in bold ink. My Journey, My Experiences [MAB] #MilitarySpouses #MilitaryHistory #SpouseStories #MilitaryCommunity #MilitarySpouseHistory #HomefrontArchives #BehindTheUniforms

She didn’t wait for history to call—she fired first. Coin from women in the Revolution series issued by the DAR [Margaret Cochran Corbin: DAR Pathway of the Patriots] Margaret Cochran Corbin didn't wait to be remembered by history—she forced her way into it, cannon in hand. After her husband was killed in battle, she stepped forward to man his artillery position, voluntarily taking up arms. Her actions not only redefined expectations for women in wartime but also demonstrated how devotion—both for a cause and a spouse—could take the form of direct combat. You might know her better by a more familiar, though collective, name: Molly Pitcher . Molly Pitcher” Was Never Just One Woman  A myth with many faces—and Margaret’s among the fiercest. Historians have studied her extensively, footnoted, analyzed, and revisited more often than many of her male counterparts. The name “ Molly Pitcher ” is most famously linked to Mary Ludwig Hays McCauley, but she was not the only woman behind the legend. Much like Rosie the Riveter in World War II, “ Molly Pitcher ” became a symbolic identity— one name used to honor the courage and contributions of numerous women who stepped into the chaos of battle. Her enduring presence in American memory reminds us of the often-erased military roles women have played throughout history. The myth may be collective, but the bravery was individual—and very real. McCauley deserves her own spotlight. Today, however, our focus is on Margaret. Still Famous? Still Worth Telling Even legends deserve a second look. Skipping Margaret Corbin's story because she's "too well known" would be like ignoring Hamilton because there's too much singing. Even if her name rings familiar, let this be your introduction—or reintroduction—to one of the boldest figures of the Revolutionary War: Captain Molly. “Pro-martyr among women in the cause of American Freedom, she is the symbol of conjugal devotion in time of fiery trial and an example of the self-sacrificing loyalty of the mothers of the Republic, without which Independence could not have been won.”  — Edward Hagaman Hall, 1932 Restoring Captain Molly: A Historian’s Crusade Edward Hagaman Hall’s fight for justice, a century later. In 1932, historian Edward H. Hall wrote a booklet for the American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society, attempting to clarify the confusion surrounding the identities of Margaret Corbin and Mary Ludwig Hayes and restore Margaret Corbin's rightful place in history. He underscored Margaret's valor at the Battle of Fort Washington and contrasted her early heroism with a later life marked by injury, poverty, and neglect. Hall believed that properly honoring her would correct a historical wrong—and bring visibility to the countless Revolutionary women whose sacrifices went unacknowledged. One Woman, One Cannon, One Battle That Changed Everything The siege of Fort Washington didn’t end with her wounds. British officer, Thomas Davies, painted a watercolor (now owned by the New York Public Library) [American Revolution Institute of the Society of the Cincinnati, Inc] Margaret—or Margery—Corbin is remembered not only for her courage but for how her story faded into shadow, only to resurface through historical fragments. Portrayed as an Irish woman with a sharp tongue, fiery temperament, and a disheveled appearance—possibly shaped by poverty, trauma, and war—Margaret defied every norm of 18th-century womanhood. She married   John Corbin ,  an artilleryman in Captain Francis Proctor's First Company of the Pennsylvania Artillery, and followed him into war. When he was killed during the British assault on Fort Washington on November 16, 1776, she stepped into his place at the cannon. With grit and fury, she loaded, aimed, and fired, fighting off Hessian soldiers until three grapeshot tore into her chest, jaw, and left arm ,  disabling her(her wounds vary between historical accounts). "Captured by the British and later released or paroled” , she eventually reappeared in the records as a member of the Corps of Invalids . Some Scholars state that the Corps of Invalids  is when she earned the title "Captain Molly." Others have said it was because she wore a uniform and smoked a pipe. An unverified statement from the 1915 Annual Report of the American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society suggests that Margaret was paroled to General Greene and taken to Philadelphia along with other wounded soldiers. However, I have not found definitive documentary evidence to support this claim. The Vanishing Act Nobody Documented She vanished from the battlefield—but not from the story. The aftermath of the battle was chaotic. Most American soldiers were captured and held on the field through Sunday, then marched to New York City under guard.  As Hall documented in his book, there was one lone artillerist—likely a comrade of Margaret's—who escaped on a raft across the Hudson River and reported to General Nathanael Greene. A ccording to historian Edward Hagaman Hall, although no official documents verify this, the letters between Gen. Greene and Gen. Washington indicate that the artillerist's account was Washington's first news from the north side of the fort, where Margaret had fought. But Margaret? She vanishes from all official correspondence. According to Hall, Greene or Washington, does not mention her in the letters, nor was she listed among the known prisoners. As historian Edward Hagaman Hall   wrote: “What became of the unfortunate Margaret Corbin at this juncture does not appear.” Although Hall's work is highly respected, the absence of conclusive documentary evidence for specific events in Corbin's life still calls for further investigation. I would love to find and examine the letters between Gen. Greene and Gen. Washington that historian Hall discusses in his book. Maybe there's something in the margin of those letters? POW or Forgotten Hero? The silence in the records may speak louder than facts. One unverified account from the 1915 American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society   suggests that Margaret was paroled to General Greene and sent to Philadelphia with the wounded. There's no documentation to confirm this, but it's plausible—especially given her later military record. Eventually, she surfaces again—not as a camp follower, but as a soldier. By 1779, Margaret Corbin was enrolled in the Pennsylvania Invalid Regiment ,  a unit created by Congress on June 23, 1777,   to provide garrison service, act as a military school, and house soldiers unfit for field duty but still capable of service. She is listed in the Pennsylvania Archives   as part of this regiment. Rations, Whiskey, and Recognition Her pension tells a story of both suffering and respect. Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File, Margaret Corbin, National Archives: NAID: 54299769 Margaret's injuries left her permanently disabled. The initial rations granted to her were inadequate, and on June 29, 1779, the Supreme Council of Pennsylvania voted for her $30 and urged further aid. Congress responded on July 6, 1779, by granting her: A lifelong pension equal to half a soldier's pay, A complete suite of clothing, or its cash equivalent. She became the first woman in U.S. history to receive a military pension. Still, even this was not enough. Later petitions noted that her condition remained dire, and yet she continued to receive military rations—including whiskey, a standard part of a soldier's provisions. Why Would the Army Do That? Because Margaret Corbin, a military wife, had proven herself in the most unthinkable way? A woman firing a cannon didn't fit any military model of the time—not soldier, not civilian. Perhaps that's why her capture, injuries, or the possible escape occurred, and services were poorly documented. She didn't fit the system, so she slipped between its cracks (or better yet, she flowed into the margin and footnotes). But her pension—and the rare privilege of enlistment in the Invalid Corps—proved that the Army saw her as one of their own. Not just a widow. Not just a woman. But a soldier–– Patriot Final thought: Whose Stories Get Remembered? Margaret Corbin’s real legacy isn’t just what she did—but how easily it was almost lost. Margaret Corbin didn't just fire a cannon—she broke barriers. Her story, fragmented as it is, challenges the conventional narratives of gender in military history. She blurred the lines between follower and fighter, supporter and soldier. Her recognition at West Point affirms the complexity of her role—and the magnitude of her courage. But her story also leaves us with more complicated questions: May 18, 2008, Margaret Cochran Corbin Marker by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland, Historical Marker Database  Who gets remembered in war? Whose contributions are preserved? And who gets erased? Thank you for reading this. Whether you leave a comment that is good, bad, or ugly, I appreciate that as well. ~Mel  #HomefrontArchives #MilitarySpouseHistory #MilitaryWifeHistory  # Margaret Corbin #AmericanRevolution #MilitaryWives #RevolutionaryWomen #Army250 References: Biddle, Gertrude (Bosler), and Sarah Dickson Lowrie. Notable Women of Pennsylvania . Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1942. Clement, John, ed. Noble Deeds of American Women: With Biographical Sketches of Some of the More Prominent . Buffalo, NY: Orton & Co., 1858. Egle, William Henry. Some Pennsylvania Women during the War of the Revolution . Harrisburg, PA: Harrisburg Publishing Company, 1898. Hall, Edward Hagaman. Margaret Corbin, Heroine of the Battle of Fort Washington, 16 November 1776 . New York: American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society, 1932. Hill, Steven. “More than Equal: Unlikely (s)Heroes of the Revolutionary War.” DemocracySOS , March 14, 2024. https://democracysos.substack.com/ . Jones, Thomas, and Edward Floyd de Lancey. History of New York during the Revolutionary War and of the Leading Events in the Other Colonies at That Period . New York: New York Historical Society, 1879. Megan, Brett. “Margaret Cochrane Corbin and the Papers of the War Department.” The 18th-Century Common , October 20, 2014. http://www.18thcenturycommon.org/margaret-cochrane-corbin/ . Schenawolf, Harry. “Margaret Corbin: Manned the Cannon When Her Husband Fell at the Battle of Fort Washington.” Revolutionary War Journal , August 1, 2019. https://www.revolutionarywarjournal.com/margaret-corbin-manned-the-cannon/ .   Primary Sources: Government and Institutional Records: Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789. Volume XIV, 1779: April 23 – September 1.  Washington, D.C.: Library of Congress. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789. Volume XVII, 1780: May 8 – September 6. Washington, D.C.: Library of Congress. Papers of the Continental Congress. Volume 3, Folio 501–502, July 1779. Washington, D.C.: National Archives. Minutes of the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania, From Its Organization to the Termination of the Revolution. Volume XII, May 21, 1779 – July 12, 1781. Harrisburg, PA: State Printer. Digital Archives:  National Archives Foundation. “ Revolutionary Women ,” April 23, 2024. Papers of the War Department, 1784–1800. “ Forwarding of Ordnance & Stores Returns ,” August 13, 1787. Papers of the War Department, 1784–1800. “ Report from West Point ,” January 31, 1786. Papers of the War Department, 1784–1800. Letterbook No. 1, West Point 1784–1786 ,  entry dated January 31, 1786 Newspaper Article: The Evening Star  (Washington, D.C.). “Two ‘Mollys’ of Revolution Proved Distinct Heroines.” April 7, 1926.

Quiet Ranks: The Legacy of Military Spouses in WWII – Part 2 Military spouses—past and present—are more than just tagalongs. They're community builders, problem-solvers, and a critical part of military readiness. I was knee-deep in research on the Army Air Corps and "island-hopping" in the Pacific when I stumbled onto something completely off-topic—but too good to ignore. It was a 1944 article from Air Force: The Official Service Journal of the U.S. Army Air Forces . And instead of generals or war strategy, it was about… wives . Air Force, the Official Service Journal, 1944. Specifically, the * AAF WFTC Officers' Wives Committees and Cadet Wives League . These women didn't just sit back—they built systems from scratch while their husbands were off training. And their work? It mattered.  "Footnote:" Notably, the article—and the League itself—makes no mention of enlisted wives, who were facing many of the same challenges, often with less access to networks or support. Their stories deserve attention too, even if they weren't part of this particular narrative.  Three Big Problems, One Smart Solution According to the article, cadet wives moving from station to station across the Western Flying Training Command, their "welcome kit" often included: A housing shortage No easy way to get a job A hope they wouldn't need medical help anytime soon Any of this sound familiar? Enter the Cadet Wives League —a grassroots, all-female force that teamed up with the USO, YWCA, and local housing agencies to ease the chaos for new arrivals. Housing? Sorted– Need a doctor? They had contacts– Need work? They knew who was hiring. Workarounds and Work Power Air Force, the Official Service Journal, 1944. Many cadet wives wanted jobs. But most employers didn't want to hire someone who'd leave in a few months– Sound familiar? The League had a clever fix: they promised to send a replacement when a wife relocated. Employers eased up. Women got hired. Base operations, such as PXs and Service Clubs, ran more smoothly – a win-win!   MoreThan Logistics — A Lifeline The League wasn't just about practical needs—it was about emotional and financial survival. If a wife got sick, the Officers' Wives Committee checked in, arranged care, and made hospital visits. Every new arrival got a welcome letter, a personal call, and an invite to the Wednesday night suppers—complete with group singing and talks like "Customs of the Service" or "How Not to Spill Military Secrets." They didn't just form a network. They built a community. From One Base to a National Model Started in Santa Ana, California, the League's model spread quickly across the Western Flying Training Command and into bases in Texas and Georgia. Each chapter had job leads, medical contacts, social outreach, and—yes— even a badge:  a flying wedding ring . It worked so well that official military agencies like the U.S. Employment Service and Army Emergency Relief  got on board. Air Force, the Official Service Journal, 1944. I am still searching for the badge. Then and Now: Same Problems, Louder Voices Not Just "Camp Followers" The AAF WFTC Officers' Wives Committees and Cadet Wives League challenged the idea that military wives were just "dependents." They were planners , organizers , and crisis managers —doing everything the military forgot to plan for. They didn't just follow the flag– they fortified  it. Fast-forward to today:  different uniforms, same struggles. Spouses still face job instability, childcare gaps, medical delays, and the emotional burden of frequent moves, war, and uncertainty — in situations that are both fast-paced and prolonged. And so many studies and reports have been written about all this. Sure, we have digital networks and advocacy orgs now. But those same old studies keep asking: Why are spouses underemployed? Why is support still inconsistent? How do we fix this? And every year, the list of questions just grows longer. Which brings us to the familiar refrain: “Please, military spouses/active duty/families — take another funded survey, so another funded study can create another report… knowing full well that leaders will skim the highlights and ignore the real feedback.” I could absolutely hop on a soapbox about this — it’s a little too close to home. I’ve sat through more meetings, briefs, focus groups, and “feedback sessions” than I care to count. The studies rarely led to real change... but they sure led to a lot of talking and more than a little sunshine blown exactly where it doesn’t belong. I’ll save that rant for another day — the one where I come armed with the receipts from experience. Because here’s the truth: military spouses have been offering solutions through action for decades, while institutions continue to churn through process-heavy reports that rarely reach the people doing the actual work. AND, in 1944, the AAF WFTC Officers' Wives Committees and Cadet Wives League were already answering these questions with ACTION and Purpose . Final Thought: AAF WFTC Officers' Wives Committees and Cadet Wives League   – Silent Partners to Strategic Stakeholders Today’s military spouses aren’t just supporters — they’re strategic stakeholders. They’re still out here building networks, filling the gaps in the military system, disregarded, and holding families together through training cycles, deployments, relocations, and everything in between. Some spouses are boots-on-the-ground advocates pushing for change nationwide. Some spouses are hyper-focused on local bases and community support. And some spouses are just trying to keep their heads above water in their own little bubble — and honestly, that’s just as fearless. Have things changed? Absolutely . Are spouses still fighting the same battles, just dressed a little differently in each era? Also yes. Perhaps if military spouses were featured more often in history books (beyond just studies and discussions), more leaders would grasp the true extent and difficulty of these problems. The   AAF WFTC Officers' Wives Committees and the Cadet Wives League weren't wartime artifacts. It was a groundbreaking blueprint . And NO– this isn't just a quaint WWII story. It's a reminder. That behind every flight, march, promotion, or deployment, there's often someone holding it all together, trying to figure this military life—quietly, fiercely, and in heels, sneakers… or in my case, flip-flops. ~ Mel P.S. In case you were wondering, I’m working on an exhibit about the island-hopping strategy in the Pacific Theater during WWII. Using archival materials, I’m collecting photographs, quotes, and maps that show both the victories and the setbacks. I’m excited to see it on display. #MilitarySpouseHistory #HomefrontArchives #BehindTheUniforms #QuietRanksSeries #WWIIMilitaryWives # AAFWFTCwives Sources: Air Force, the Official Service Journal. “Air Force, the Official Service Journal.”    U.S. Department of Defense (.Gov) , February 1944. * Office of History and Research Headquarters, Air Education & Training Command.  A History of Air Education & Training Command “the First Command” 80 Years Strong, 1942-2022 , 2021. _______________________________________________________________ Notes:   *I couldn't find any mention of families or wives until 1949. However, this does provide the history of Air Education and Training Command (AETC), which traces its lineage back to 23 January 1942, when the War Department established the Army Air Corps Flying Training Command. On 23 January 1942, the Air Corps established a single command responsible for flying training. The Air Corps Flying Training Command was under the jurisdiction of the “Chief of the Air Corps”. At the same time, the three centers became subordinate 6 to Flying Training Command. * When researching “AAF WFTC Officers' Wives Committee/club and the Cadet Wives League,” even though it was nationwide, all I find is information about the WAAC, WAC, and the WASP. That's not necessarily bad, but it's not exactly the same. Maybe I am just not looking in the right place. If you come across anything, I’d love to hear about it and share it.