Women against the good war : conscientious objection and gender on the American home front, 1941-1947

During World War II, more than 12,000 male conscientious objectors seeking alternatives to military service entered Civilian Public Service to do forestry, soil conservation, or other "work of national importance." But this government-sponsored, church-supported program also attracted some 2,000 women - most of whom were part of Mennonite, Amish, Brethren, or Quaker families with deeply held antiwar beliefsto 151 alternative service locations across the country. Rachel Waltner Goossen tells the story of these women against the "good war," women who identified themselves as conscientious objectors. Despite cultural hostility and discriminatory federal policies, they sought to demonstrate their humanitarian convictions by taking part in Civilian Public Service work. Includes bibliographical references (pages 159-174) and index. xii, 180 pages : illustrations, map ; 25 cm.