The Forties: The War
"Buy a stamp and help make the champ" through the purchase of stamps and war bonds…
"Florence Matilda Read and Graduates" (2018). Spelman College Photographs Collection, Presidents. 22.
Though the world was consumed by war in the forties, the Alumnae Association continued to support its mission of supporting Spelman. It was certainly a challenge for a liberal arts institution for women to continue to function while the world was at war. Many of the men were in the services and the women had to go to work. However, the student population at Spelman continued to thrive.
The alumnae joined the national efforts to win the war. Patriotism was exhibited by embroidering V's on clothing in red, white and blue. Citizens were asked to "Buy a stamp and help make the champ" through the purchase of stamps and war bonds. Alumnae, students and faculty volunteered regularly at the USO Centers and Red Cross service stations. They became air-raid wardens and blood donors. The College cooperated with the national initiatives and adopted an austere existence - "plainly and patriotically... economical old-fashioned New England thrift." The alumnae held meetings to plan for a "Food for Victory" campaign.
The campaign was to be carried out in schools in Georgia employing vocational and home economics teachers. The trained teachers were disbursed to local school districts to help others to learn the point-rationing systems for foods and to prepare for the changes in menus and nutrition due to the impending cutbacks.