Elaine Weiss talked about her book Fruits of Victory: The Woman's Land Army of America in the Great War (Potomac Books; December 31, 2008). From 1917 to 1920 the Woman's Land Army sent thousands of women to work on American farms during World War I. These "farmerettes" were considered shocking as they challenged conventional thinking on what was "proper" work for women to do, their role in wartime, how they should be paid, and how they should dress. They became very popular but after the war they were forgotten. Ms. Weiss talked about how she researched the movement as well as its history. She showed slides during her presentation and led the audience in singing the Land Army March. She also responded to questions from members of the audience.

This Noontime Lecture of the 75th Anniversary Author Lecture Series was held Wednesday, October 7, 2009, in the Jefferson Room of the National Archives.