Women's Patriotic Association was an organization based in

Newfoundland Newfoundland and Labrador (; french: Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador; frequently abbreviated as NL) is the easternmost province of Canada, in the country's Atlantic region. The province comprises the island of Newfoundland and the continental region ...

during

World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...

. Although women could not fight in The First World War, many chose to knit socks and other comforts and necessary items as an expression of their patriotism and their gratitude for the men fighting overseas. In Newfoundland, the Women's Patriotic Association (WPA) brought together women from all over the colony. The organization's initial purpose was to knit socks but they went on to become associated with the

Red Cross The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is a Humanitarianism, humanitarian movement with approximately 97 million Volunteering, volunteers, members and staff worldwide. It was founded to protect human life and health, to ensure re ...

and made materials such as pajamas, sweaters, and blankets for the men overseas. The WPA began in St. John's on August 31, 1914, when the wife of the Governor, Lady Margaret Davidson, called upon the women of Newfoundland to "do their bit" for the war effort. This organization was largely organized in response to a male organization, the Newfoundland Patriotic Association, which was made up of the St. John's mercantile class. At Lady Davidson's request, seven hundred people attended this meeting, which was held in the British Hall. Leading this group were prominent female figures such as Lady Davidson and Lady Isabelle Morris. Over 15,000 women were reported to have been involved in the organization by the end of 1914. By 1917, the WPA could boast that they raised the total sum of $204,219.28 and an estimated $86,249.70 of this was sent as comforts overseas. WPA leaders played key roles in Newfoundland's civic organizations after the war, and were prominent in the women's suffrage movement as well.

References

{{reflist Non-profit organizations based in Newfoundland and Labrador