"Enlist in a Proud Profession. Join the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps." Vintage WWII Recruitment Poster by Carolyn Edmundson

Offered is a vintage WWII U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps recruitment poster by Carolyn Edmundson. Highlighting a female cadet in uniform, the poster encourages readers to “Enlist in a Proud Profession! Join U.S. Nurse Corps.” It continues with “A Lifetime Education - Free! If you can qualify.” This poster would have been issued at a time when not many women had the means to further their education past high school. It appealed to those who not only wanted to acquire a worthwhile skill, but also serve their country in a time of war.

At a time when the need for healthcare professionals was rising daily, the United States issued these Cadet Nurse recruitment posters in the hopes of preparing enough women to help ease the healthcare crisis. With the onset of WWII, many medical professionals were called overseas to serve military servicemen abroad. That left a dire need for those same professionals in the United States. Frances P. Bolton, a Congresswoman from Ohio, proposed a federal aid program to expedite nursing training. This new U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps provided quick training to qualified young women in return for their dedication to serve wherever they were needed. To qualify, women had to be between 17 and 35 years of age, a high school graduate, and in good health. 

By 1945, over 124,000 women served as Cadet Nurses and provided 80% of the nursing care in the U.S. By advertising the Cadet Nurse Corps as a “proud profession,” the United States highlighted not only the patriotic service to the country, but also a skillset that can be highly applicable after the war has ended, unlike many other war-time career efforts. 

CONDITION:

Overall very good condition. Some faint vertical and horizontal creases from where the poster has been folded.  Some small splits in paper.  Thin paper, colors vibrant.   "A Lifetime Education- FREE! If You Can Qualify" in white text on blue square at bottom left. "For Information Go To Your Local Hospital Or Write U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps, Box 88, New York, N.Y" in blue text at bottom. "US Public Health Service Federal Security Agency" in small blue text at bottom center margin. Poster dimensions: 28" H x 20" W. 

The poster is framed according to the highest archival standards including UV-protective glass and acid-free matting. Framed Dimensions:  29 3/4" H x 21 3/4" W x 1 1/2" D. 




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