Activism

"I hadn't been serving, but I could serve."
Helen Frost, The Normal School Recorder, May 1918

The St. Cloud Normal School student's response was not only related to conservation efforts during the war, but also in connection to another area of war support. Many students took an active interest in supporting the war effort through activism. A series of volunteer organizations began to emerge nationwide, most notably the Red Cross, that promoted by the idea that everyone was responsible for helping with the war effort and doing their bit. Students on campus chose to "do their bit" in a variety of ways.

Producing Items

One of the activist activities that was present here on campus was the production of items by students that could be used to assist with the war effort. Students sewed and knitted children’s clothing, socks, winter apparel and gear, and bandages for those affected by the war in Europe as well as for American soldiers. There were even several rooms set aside in Old Main specifically for the production of items to be made that students, student organizations, and classes could work on to assist in the war effort.

Financial Responsibility

Many students also assumed financial responsibility for supporting the war effort as well. Students participated in, organized, and attended events that were designed to benefit the YMCA and the Red Cross. St. Cloud Normal School students were even able to raise enough money to purchase a Liberty Bond in the name of the St. Cloud Normal School. The School took a leadership role in the St. Cloud community in this sense - students used the surrounding community to both financially promote and sponsor these campus events, as well as participate in and support the School's war efforts.

Volunteerism

Throughout this exhibit, students participated in a wide variety of activities to support the war effort. It is important to realize that all of the roles that students took on were on a volunteer basis in an effort to "do their bit" for the war effort and not because they were being compensated for their time and hard work, or being legally required to do so.

"A Tribute to the St. Cloud Normal School."

Start the player below to hear a recording of Normal School student Alice Henderson's article in the April 1918 issue of the Normal School Recorder entitled "A Tribute to the St. Cloud Normal School." Jacobson discusses the multiple ways in which the school was involved in the war effort.
World War I Audio

"Why Teach?"

Start the player below to hear a recoding of Normal School professor Dr. Magnusson's article in the March 1918 issue of the Normal School Recorder entitled "Why Teach?" Dr. Magnusson discusses how becoming a teacher, and educating children and their nation, was now a patritotic duty because the U.S. was involved in WWI.

To learn more about how students felt about the war, and why they were willing to do the many things they did, follow the pageant link to learn more about the patriotic pageant that was written and put on by the Normal School.