Fighting French Relief Arm band and poem

Collection

Identifier: MSS-0541

Scope and Contents

The collection contains a paper Free French Relief arm band, featuring a swastika and the words "Sous la Botte Nazie (Under the Nazi Boot)." Written in pencil on the back of the arm band is "Fighting French Relief, 1710 Comn Ave." The collection also includes a printed poem in English by Marie C. Benney entitled "France," about the Nazi suppression of freedom in France.

Dates

between 1939 and 1945

Creator

Fighting French Relief Committee (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations. Due to the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access to certain materials may require additional advance notice.

Biographical / Historical

The Fighting French Relief Committee was formed in New York early in World War II, with the purpose of providing aid and comforts to French soldiers and resistance fighters. The committee was part of the National War Fund and local Community Chests.

The National War Fund was a philanthropic federation with three aims: (1) to determine the nature and the extent of the war-related needs; (2) to see that everybody had a chance to contribute to the funds required; and (3) to channel the sums raised for its member agencies.

The Community Chests in the United States and Canada were fund-raising organizations that collected money from local businesses and workers and distributed it to community projects. The first Community Chest, "Community Fund," was founded in 1913 in Cleveland, Ohio by the Federation for Charity and Philanthropy. The number of Community Chest organizations increased from 39 to 353 between 1919 and 1929, and surpassed 1,000 by 1948. By 1963, and after several name changes, the term "United Way" was adopted in the United States, whereas the United Way/Centraide name was not adopted in Canada until 1973-4.

Extent

0.02 Linear Feet (2 items; 2 pieces)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Overview

A Free French Relief arm band, featuring a swastika and the words "Sous la Botte Nazie (Under the Nazi Boot)," and a printed poem in English by Marie C. Benney entitled "France," about the Nazi suppression of freedom in France.

Provenance

unknown

General

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