The History of The Doughnut Girls

Who are the Doughnut Lassies?

Doughnuts are a classic sweet treat in the household today, but they were once a symbol of hope and comfort in the hardship of war. In September 1917, Margaret Sheldon and Helen Purviance, both members of the evangelical Christian charitable organisation and agents of the Salvation Army, decided to make doughnuts in the war camp and deliver them to American troops on the front line. They became known as the ‘Doughnut Lassies’.

(Image source: U.S. Archives)

How Did They Do It?

The women were originally there to set up camps for the soldiers before stumbling across a supply of flour, sugar, milk, water and cooking oil. Although they had the ingredients, they had a lack of supplies to make their baked goods. With determination and initiative, they resorted to using empty wine bottles as rolling pins and tin cans as cutters. There was a high demand for doughnuts from the soldiers, up to 120 women were recruited into the ‘Doughnut Lassies’ team and thousands of doughnuts could be made each day. 

The Impact

The Doughnut Lassies played an important role in the American war effort: rising morale in the soldiers, risking their own safety to deliver the doughnuts, and creating a powerful presence amongst the cruelty of war. The soldiers who returned home continued to crave the household treat, requesting them from their wives and neighbourhood bakeries, and they soon became an everyday staple. The comfort they brought during the war ensured doughnuts truly became part of American life.

National Donut Day

In 1938, twenty years after their contribution to the war, ‘National Donut Day’ is celebrated every first Friday in June by The Salvation Army. Their aim is to continue spreading sweetness and joy across the nation. More than a century later, the tradition continues with many American bakeries offering free doughnuts on this day.

Written by: Arianna Beach