Helen Olansen was a farmerette living and working in Morristown, NJ in 1918. While there, she wrote a letter to her cousin Jay Olansen who was in the Army stationed in France at the time. She writes about her experiences as a farmerette in the WLA.

A transcript of the letter is below. Read the letter to learn about Helen's life serving in the WLA.

23 Maple Ave.,

Morristown, N.J

July 3, 1918

Dear Cousin Jay,

Hope this letter finds you as well as it leaves me. Am out here in Morristown trying to do my bit also but in a different way. I am working for the Woman’s Land Army as a farmerette. It is going on seven weeks now, that I have been doing farm work. There are about 20 girls living at a big white house, which belongs to a millionaire but was unoccupied at the time we came out here to begin our summer career. It’s a great life if you don’t weaken. The work has been splendid so far, not saying what it will be like later on, because the weather is getting so warm. We get up at 5:30 & have breakfast at 6 a.m. & then go out to business (as it were) at 7 a.m. We have to put in 8 hours work, so the earlier we go, the earlier we get home. Was home last weekend & was down to see your Mother. Everyone was fine. The cat is running after the pen every time I start to write. Some pest. We wear blue shirts & blue striped (feel like a prisoner) overalls for the farm & for dress uniforms we have blue smocks & bloomers with puttees. I am almost passing away with the heat today. Quite the opposite from yesterday. It was very cold. I think I have said too much about myself already, but don’t know what to say or ask about you. How many Huns have you killed since I last saw you? Have just written to your brother Arthur as if I don’t stop soon, I will be getting the writer’s cramp. Hoping to hear from you soon. I am,

Lovingly the Farmerette

Cousin Helen Olansen

My address is

23 Maple Ave.,

Morristown, N.J.

c/o Land Army

Lots of love to all the boys & a big share for yourself. You see I am in the Army now like yourself. (Some Army I’m in) Ha! Ha!

Discussion Questions

1. What do you learn about Woman's Land Army from Helen's letter?

2. Why is this primary source helpful for learning about the WLA? What don't we learn from this primary source?

3. Do you think Helen was proud to be a farmerette? Why or why not?

4. When Helen joined the WLA, she was supporting the country's war efforts overseas and home front in the country. In what ways can you support your community or country for the greater good?