American War Mothers

The American War Mothers was founded by Alice M. French on 29 September 1917 and given a Congressional charter on February 24, 1925. It is a perpetual patriotic, 501(c) 4 non-profit, non-political, non-sectarian, non-partisan organization whose members are mothers of children who have served or are serving in the Armed Services during a time of conflict. American War Mothers put together hospital care packages for veterans and they have a national campaign that honors Americans who lost their lives in WWI by planting Memory Trees. The American War Mothers flag was first flown over the U.S. Capitol, below the American flag, on 11 November 1926. The original woolen flag was replaced in 1970 with its present flag, which is kept in the safe at the U.S. Capitol.

During WWI, they flew a flag with a blue star in the middle to honor their family member serving and in the event of a death, they sewed a yellow star above the blue star. These women later became the American Gold Star Mothers which branched off from the American War Mothers in 1929.

The first National Convention of War Mothers was held on 15 August 1918 in Indianapolis by the Governor of Indiana. By 11 November 1918, a large majority of the states were organized into chapters.

National President: LaVerna Capes