Edith's War ― Writings of a Red Cross Worker and Lifelong Champion of Social Justice

Edith May Witt served her country by joining the Red Cross in World War II as a staff assistant (or “club woman”) in Oran, Algeria, and worked throughout the Mediterranean theater, including several assignments in Italy. Edith Witt was also a talented writer and left behind a rich archive that illuminates the wartime experiences of civilian women. In her words: “The Clubs had Red Cross girls soldiers could talk to. We worked long hard hours with sometimes a day off a week. I was always tired, high on excitement, adventure, joy and sorrow, and thousands of people, mostly men. I got to know more about my country and about Americans than I had ever known before and I loved them dearly.”

After her death, Peter A. Witt, Edith’s nephew, painstakingly sifted through countless papers and letters to provide a nuanced and annotated portrait of the war through one woman’s extraordinarily perceptive eyes. And yet he found that Edith’s devotion to service did not end with the war. From marching to Selma with Martin Luther King Jr. in 1965 to building community organizations in San Francisco in the 1970s to push for decent and affordable living, Edith Witt remained a tireless advocate for social justice.

Edith’s War is a welcome contribution to the social history of World War II and an inspiring tale of one woman’s life of advocacy and service that encourages readers to embrace thoughtful action in their own lives. Scholars and general readers alike will find Edith’s War an engaging and enjoyable read.

PETER A. WITT is professor emeritus in the department of recreation, park, and tourism sciences at Texas A&M University. He is the author or editor of six books, including Recreation and Youth Development. He resides in Bryan, Texas.