War Maids of Honor
REF war_madrinhadeguerra
Portugal 1970's
about
War Maids of Honor refers to women or girls who have corresponded with soldiers on campaign, so as to support them morally, psychologically or even emotionally. The maid of honor sent letters to his soldier, but he could also send parcels, gifts and photographs. The term refers to the period of World War I and, in Portugal, in the Colonial War.
The bridesmaids saw the light of day in 1915 with the creation, by Marguerite de Lens on January 11, of "The Family of the Soldier", an association of conservative Catholics, who benefited from the support of free advertising in "Echo from Paris".
Later, other associations were created: the "My Soldier", founded by Bérard and supported by Alexandre Millerand, minister of war.
In May 1915, the newspaper Fantasio launched an operation known as the front-runner, and offered to serve as an intermediary between the young men at the front and the young women at the rear. Six months later, flooded with requests from the military, the newspaper puts an end to its initiative.
In Portugal, the creation of the bridesmaids is the responsibility of the association "Assistance of the Portuguese to the Victims of War", founded after the proclamation of the state of war in March 1916. In April 1917 the first bridesmaids appeared.