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In 1917, at the beginning on World War I, every American was counted on to do their part to help the Allies win the war.  Each state worked to encourage everyone to conserve food because the U. S. Food Administration promoted “Food Will In the War.”

Governor Henderson has appointed Mrs. J. F. Hooper as chairman of the Alabama Division of Council of National Defense, and entrusted to the women of the State.

Woman’s most important part in the Nation’s Defense will be the conservation of food, therefore, Mrs. Hooper is sending throughout all Alabama these Hoover Pledge cards to be signed by every housekeeper who has the interest of her country at heart.

Mrs. Hooper says that “through this channel every woman will be given an opportunity to enlist where she can serve most efficiently—while this enlistment is purely voluntary, it is none the less compulsory and should receive the wholehearted response as did the men’s call to service.”  The State organization will begin active work at once and should receive the hearty encouragement of every woman in Alabama.  Let us not think upon the petty personal deprivations and discomforts this step will bring us, but upon the righteousness of the cause and upon the sacrifices of the men who are giving their lives for the service and let us put forth our greatest effort in the greatest task every undertaken by the women of our land.

“We are now in the midst of the campaign for enlisting the women in the Food Saving Army.”  Your Chairman has appointed Committees in every city and town and county in the State to distribute the Hoover Food Pledge card.  The cards are in their hands and she urges every housewife to sign and become a member of the National Conservation Committee.  The cards are to be signed and mailed to Washington, where they will be registered and returned to Alabama so that the Governor may know the extent of the cooperation which he may depend upon from the women of the State.

“Governor Henderson has entrusted the work of this campaign to the women of the State.  There can be no doubt but what the loyalty and the devotion of the women of this country will lead them enthusiastically into the plan for thrift which is not only advisable but absolutely necessary if countless thousands are to be saved from starvation.”

“There was never a greater challenge to the woman-hood of a country than that made by President Wilson to women for voluntary enrollment in this league for food conservation.”  He expects you to help conserve the food supply of the Nation.

“Of course you will do your part as an individual, but your greatest value will be in arousing the enthusiasm of all your neighbors and seeing that they register for food saving.”

All of these articles can be found in previous editions of The Troy Messenger.  Stay tuned for more.  Dianne Smith is the President of the Pike County Historical, Genealogical and Preservation Society.