The Heart of the Homefront: Copper Country Mothers in WWI

During WWI, Copper Country mothers were critical to the war effort in the U.P. homefront. First and foremost, mothers of soldiers were celebrated for their patriotism. Join Patty Sotirin as she shares stories of mothers and their soldier sons from letters, poems, and news articles. Copper Country mothers responded to government calls for rationing and support with resourcefulness.  Learn about some of the ways they cut back and gave back. The mothers whose sons died in service were designated as Gold Star Mothers and we know that some were offered a trip to Europe to visit the graves of their sons. Altogether, the stories of WWI Copper Country mothers are surprisingly complex and fascinating. These stories complement Keweenaw National Park's interactive exhibit on local families during WWI and the WWI poster exhibit at the Carnegie Museum. 

Patty Sotirin is a Professor Emerita and Research Professor at Michigan Technological University. Her areas of scholarship include relational communication, kinship, and qualitative research methods. She lived in Chassell for thirty years and returns to the Keweenaw several times a year to visit friends and enjoy the beauty of the Copper Country.
Location: Calumet Visitor Center (3rd floor) 98 Fifth Street Calumet, MI 49913