American War Mothers

The American War Mothers Organization was founded in response to federal officials impressed with and grateful for the Food Conservation and War Relief Work carried on by mothers of servicemen and women during World War I. It is a national organization whose purpose is to nurture and develop the spirit of world service and to engage in patriotic work, including assisting the men and women who served and were wounded in United States conflicts. Membership is limited to U.S. women whose children served in the Armed Forces. On September 29, 1917, these officials requested that a permanent War Mothers organization be established. Enthusiastic response resulted nationwide, and by Armistice Day, November 11, 1918, two-thirds of the states were organized into chapters. The first National Convention of War Mothers was called by the Governor of Indiana and convened in Indianapolis on August 15, 1918. Delegates from other states were appointed by their respective governors. On February 24, 1925, the 68th Congress granted the American War Mothers a National Charter (PL-453). Additional information on administrative history available via complete finding aid.

The American War Mothers organization was first founded on a national level September 29th, 1917 by Alice M. French, who became the first national president. This day has since become known as Founders Day. Later, on August 16, 1918, the first Constitution and Bylaws were adopted. The American War Mothers organization was later incorporated by an act of Congress on February 24th, 1925. The initial purpose of the American War Mothers was to provide an organization for the mothers of sons and daughters who were enlisted in the military in WWI. The charter gradually evolved to include mothers whose children were in any past and future wars. Over the years, the organization developed a number of traditions to help support their objectives of helping to care for the wounded and their families, as well as to develop and maintain a spirit of world service in general. The American War Mothers are a non-political, non-partisan organization as well as non-profit. Hierchically, the American War Mothers organization maintains local chapters within state chapters, all of which fall under the national body. Kentucky includes a number of local chapters of the War Mother organization whose names mostly refer to counties in Kentucky. However, some chapters are named after individuals, such as the Alice M. French chapter which is named after the original founder and first American War Mothers President. The various Kentucky chapters of the American War Mother organization are located throughout the state, but are particularly concentrated in the Louisville and Lexington areas.

The American War Mothers was organized in 1917 and chartered by act of Congress on 16 Feb. 1925. It was a service organization.