In June 1917, Mrs. Ida Powell Priest of New York City was commander-in-chief of the American Women’s League for Self-Defense, a group of 500 women trained to take up arms to defend themselves and their country if the need arose.
According to an archival article in the General Federation of Women’s Clubs Magazine, Mrs. Powell’s focus was on defense.
“We design to improve health of mind and body through military training, to learn to think, act, obey and command intelligently and quickly, to be military, not militant,” Mrs. Priest was quoted as saying.
Antonia Cover, director of women’s outreach for Gun Owners of America, would like to see some of that attitude revived. Ms. Cover leads Empowered 2A, a movement dedicated to providing “education, training, and advocacy content that encourages and equips women of all ages in their gun ownership journey.”…