New York, New York: A.W.V.S., 1965. Very good to near-fine. Minor flaws including light dust soiling, the occasional nick, spot, or short tear. One item with a little more damage to cover, loose leaves. The occasional annotation or pencil marking.. A small assemblage of printed literature (fourteen items, including one variant) issued by the American Women's Voluntary Services, with dates ranging from 1950-1965. The A.W.V.S. was founded in 1940 by social service organizer Alice Throckmorton McLean (1886-1968), and modeled on the Royal Voluntary Service in Great Britain. The A.W.V.S. aimed to prepare the United States for war via services such as message delivery, emergency kitchens and canteens, the sale of war bonds, transportation, and more. Prominent members included Mamie Eisenhower, Joan Crawford, Hattie McDaniel, and Betty White. Despite criticism from some people (mostly men) who didn't want women to work, it was wildly successful and continued after the war was over with community volunteer work (everything from veteran support to running youth programs, vocational training, supporting the blind, and transportation services). The fourteen (14) items in this grouping include, in chronological order:
"American Women's Voluntary Services: Unite and Serve". New York: A.W.V.S.,1950. Single vol. (12" by 9.5"), pp. [32], illus., in original illus. wrps with line map of the United States on the front. A promotional booklet for the organization with large photo illustrations and descriptions of their services and activities.
"Notice of the Eleventh Annual Meeting". New York: A.W.V.S., 1952. Single vol. (9" by 6"), pp. [8], in printed self wrps. Notice of upcoming May, 1952 meeting with program/order of events.
"Annual Report 1952". New York: A.W.V.S., 1952. Single vol. (11" by 8.5"), pp. [12], illus., in original illus. self wrps with illustration of smiling volunteer pushing a patient in a wheelchair. Annual report with photo illustrations of the years' activities and volunteers, showing service to veterans, the elderly, youth, and other areas of the community in need in 1952.
"AWVS meets an urgent need". New York: A.W.V.S., 1954. Single vol. (11" by 8.5"), pp. 8, illus., in original illus. self wrps with photo of smiling volunteer with two children. Recruitment brochure with photos showing the volunteers and their activities.
Two (2) variants of: "AWVS ... Nationwide!". New York: A.W.V.S., c.1955. Folding pamphlet with photo illus. of volunteers at work, measures approx. 5.5" by 4.25" folded. Recruitment pamphlets, different images on front.
"A warm wintertime wish from the A.W.V.S." New York: A.W.V.S., c.1955. Folding photo-illus. Christmas card promoting the organization with images of children at play and a plaque. Measures approx. 4.25" by 6.25" folded. Blank spaces for sender and recipient names.
"American Women's Voluntary Services (National) 1957". New York: A.W.V.S., 1957. Single vol. (11.75" by 9"), pp. [24], illus., in original illus. wrps with photo of barracks on front. A promotional booklet for the organization with large photo illustrations and descriptions of their services and activities.
"American Women's Voluntary Services (National) 1958". New York: A.W.V.S., 1958. Single vol. (11.75" by 9"), pp. [20], illus., in original illus. wrps with photo of smiling volunteer on front with children. A promotional booklet for the organization with large photo illustrations and descriptions of their services and activities.
"Eighteenth Annual Convention". New York: A.W.V.S., 1959. Single vol. (9" by 6"), pp. [4], in original printed silver wrps. Program with order of events for the 1959 convention held in Reno, Nevada.
"American Women's Voluntary Services (National) 1961". New York: A.W.V.S., 1961. Single vol. (11.75" by 9"), pp. [28], illus., in original illus. wrps with photo of volunteer on front with two pre-teens. A promotional booklet for the organization with large photo illustrations and descriptions of their services and activities.
"National News Letter April 1962". New York: A.W.V.S., 1962. Unbound newsletter (11" by 8.5"), pp. 8, illus. Organization newsletter with photo images of the group's volunteers at work.
"American Women's Voluntary Services (National) 1964". New York: A.W.V.S., 1964. Single vol. (11.75" by 9"), pp. [28], illus., in original illus. wrps with photo of smiling volunteer on front. A promotional booklet for the organization with large photo illustrations and descriptions of their services and activities.
"American Women's Voluntary Services (National) 1965". New York: A.W.V.S., 1965. Single vol. (11.75" by 9"), pp. [28], illus., in original illus. wrps with photo of three nurse volunteers on front. A promotional booklet for the organization with large photo illustrations and descriptions of their services and activities. "The purpose of American Women's Voluntary Service is: To make available to all women of America the opportunity to work actively on a voluntary basis for their country through constructive service to their community. and To instruct and guide these volunteers toward the achievement of this end" (first leaf of 1964 promotional booklet).
