Early 1940s – TJ Skillful Needleworkers Help The War Effort

During the difficult war years, one of the biggest issues was the almost complete lack of available help to replace people who left for war-time jobs.  Superintendent, Mrs. Bedrowsky, with the help of nearly all physically able residents, carried on in a manner that won the respect of all.  Food shortages began, butter was scarce, meat was short on variety and it was increasingly difficult to get vegetables in the quantities needed, however no one was lacking in nourishing foods.

April 1944 Board Report by Superintendent Ann Bedrowsky

“During the past year, living conditions in the Home have been and still are strenuous and somewhat hectic because of labor shortages, et cetera.  I wonder each morning in what capacity I will be working, whether as kitchen helper, cook, laundress or waitress?  Yes, even as an engineer on occasion.  I do all the relief work when the help is off so should this report be somewhat sketchy, you will realize why only the most necessary things can be done.  The grounds would not meet with a gardener’s approval, a good housekeeper would find many things not clean according to good standards, but we do have good meals in spite of or because of rationing foods and foodstuff shortages.  Thanksgiving and Christmas (1943) and other holidays were spent in the American traditional manner.  The various Franke Tobey Jones Circles contributed 39 pints of jellies and jams, 4 pints of pickled relishes, 4 dozen dish towels and a gift for each member (resident) 45 women and 14 men.

As reported by the Tacoma News Tribune, October 16, 1943

“Ever since the invasion of Poland and England’s declaration of war on Germany, the women [of the Home] have been working.  Sewing, knitting, bandage rolling, all the skills that were developed in the girlhoods of half a century ago, have been the service of the Red Cross, the British-American relief, the Russian Relief and other organizations. Senior among the women, and able only to give approval as encouragement, is Mrs. Elizabeth Lowden, 93 years old, who was a girl in her ‘teens during the Civil War.

“Of the three score men and women who live at the Home, where Miss Ann Bedrowsky is superintendent, the men have put much of their energies into victory gardens and care of the little orchard, put out many years ago.  The women, often in their own apartments and at other times gathering in the living room, might put to shame many younger folk with their activity and interest in war work, which is not organized, but the fruit of individual effort.

In the past four years, for British-American relief and the Red Cross, they have knitted 341 sweaters, ranging in size from garments for four-year-olds to adults.  Large and small caps made number 91, 252 pairs of men’s socks have grown on their busy knitting needles, 22 large scarfs, 6 helmets and 7 knitted afghans, 4 x 6 feet.  Of guilts for baby’s cribs, 11 have been made, and for the Red Cross the skillful needle workers have made eight children’s coats, 12 blouses, eight girl’s dresses and three slips.  Work has also included mittens and wristlets, surgical dressings, infants’ supplies and other small articles.”