Women's Overseas Service League

The Women's Overseas Service League (WOSL) was founded in 1921 by women who had served in World War I. The group initially existed as local units, but soon became a national organization and began publishing the quarterly magazine "Carry On." An annual convention was also established in 1921, and has been held every year except during the World War II years of 1942-1945. WOSL was the first women's organization to contribute to UNICEF and was one of the first organizations to be an accredited observer at the United Nations.

Founded in 1921, the Women's Overseas Service League is a national organization of women who served overseas with the United States armed forces. In 1983 WOSL began a project entitled "Carry On: An Oral History of Women's Overseas Service League Members."

The Women's Overseas Service League (WOSL) was founded in 1921 by women who had served in World War I. The group initially existed as local units, but soon became a national organization and began publishing the quarterly magazine Carry On. An annual convention was also established in 1921 and has been held every year except during the World War II years of 1942-1945. WOSL was the first women's organization to contribute to UNICEF and was one of the first organizations to be an accredited observer at the United Nations.

In 1946 WOSL membership was extended to women who had served in World War II, and later to veterans of the Korean and Vietnam wars. Membership further expanded in 1992 to include women who had served in Grenada, Panama, Lebanon and the Persian Gulf. The League played a major role in securing proper government benefits and military status for women veterans. Over the years, WOSL has continued its commitment to patriotic service through a variety of programs. WOSL has been involved in the building program and the Youth Awards program of the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. A Scholarships for Women program that attracts applicants nationwide was initiated in 1994. Through this program, dozens of scholarships have been awarded to women matriculated in colleges and universities in courses of study leading to careers in the military and other public service occupations. In addition, the League has contributed to the Bell Tower Memorial dedicated to service women at Cathedral of the Pines in Ridge, New Hampshire; supported the Hospitalized Veterans Writing program in V.A. hospitals and provided much assistance to Native American children in cooperation with Save the Children Federation. The League has also worked to Create an extensive oral history project in San Antonio, Texas.

As a note, the organizational structure in terms of the number of units and areas of WOSL changed over the history of the organization. For specific details on organization structure during a certain period, refer to an issue of Carry On, the official publication of WOSL, for the time period in question.