The Role Of Women At War

Characters:

Kate B: Nelly McClung 

Allison N: Radio Broadcaster

Rachel R: WWI Nurse

Allison N: Radio Broadcaster

Allison Nelson: Hello, this is 94.2 all talk station. Welcome to “A squared.” On today’s    radio, we are going to be interviewing some of the women in war and find out the kinds of jobs they perform. Right now, we have a woman on the phone whose name is Nelly McClung. Hello Nelly, welcome to “A squared.”

Nelly McClung (Kate Beckstead): Well thank you very much!  I am honored to be on this show.

Allison Navarro: Well, Nelly, you have had a profound influence on many people, women especially during World War I.  Canada was deeply involved in the world war; therefore, there were not any men to keep the economy going.  It was up to the women.  The women would do many things to keep from an economy drop.  What kinds of things did you do Nelly?

Nelly McClung (Kate Beckstead):  Some of the different things that we did were….um, we knitted socks, gloves, scarves and also we made bandages.  These are some of the different ways we felt that we could contribute.  We also had a responsibility to fill in jobs that the men left behind.  The war was expensive, and we had to keep the economy from falling…although we, the women, tried, we could not work in important places.  Married women could not sign a contract; Canada was a tough place live for women.  We did not really have any rights.

Allison Nelson: This is when you came in right?  I have heard about all that you have done in Canada, it was on January 27, 1914.You and several women, who were in support of you, went and petitioned the Manitoba government to let the women of Canada vote.  For those of you who have just tuned in we are talking to Nelly McClung, all about her influence in Canada and more generally, Women at war.

Nelly McClung (Kate Beckstead): That is correct, the women were fed up with the men controlling their lives.  We needed to start something, anything, just to gain some rights.  Although we were not given them, I think in the near future that we, the women of Canada will be able to vote and we will be given other rights that we deserve.

Allison Navarro: That is so interesting…hmmm…during this world war, women had tremendous role, all over the women could only be something of the nature of a secretary, they were less then a man in any job. 

Allison Nelson:  Yes, next up, we will be interviewing a young lady from the war front.  We are going on the spot with Kate Beckstead.  Young women on the front were usually nurses and exposed to extreme danger.  Women, under pressure, were also pressured to take care of their children.  We will be right back, stay toned. 

Allison Navarro:  This is 94.2 all talk station and you are listening to “A squared,” we are talking about the Women during this hideous World War.  Right now, we are going to be speaking to a WWI Nurse who assisted many soldiers in the war. This is Nurse Ferdinand. Hello, this is “A squared” and we are so pleased to have you on our radio show.

Rachel Ricchio: Thank you very much. I am one of the three nurses who were awarded with the Distinguished Service Cross. It was the nations second highest military honor. I have assisted many wounded soldiers and I have experienced many of my fellow nurses who have died. Now they are buried in military cemeteries. All of the nurses lived in the hospitals in case of emergency. The Red Cross ambulances called as early as 6:00 am to take the unit to the train that would bear to Paris. I have said enough… it is too hard for me to talk about it. I am dearly sorry.

Allison Nelson: I think we all understand but thank you very much for being on our radio talk show. You are listening to 94.2 “A Squared.” Now a message from our sponsors.