American Red Cross Canteen Worker's Uniform, 1918

Woman's uniform of light blue cotton; white button on collar and cuffs; 2 front pockets; wide blue cotton belt with 3 white buttons; emblem at front, chest high: blue shield on white with blue lettering "ARC Canteen Worker" with large red cross.

Another avenue of service for women during World War I was through the American Red Cross. The American Red Cross among its many services set up 700 canteen stations across the United States to provide food and leisure articles to troops while they were in transit. This American Red Cross Canteen Worker's uniform was worn by Edna Hire Cox. Edna served coffee and doughnuts at Penn Station in 1918. By the end of the War nearly 1/3 of all Americans were either a donor or a volunteer with the American Red Cross. Source: www.redcross.org