Three influential women in the early 20th century women's movements and suffrage are seen walking in front of the Brandenburg Gate, in Berlin, during World War 1. On the left is American, Jane Addams, co-founder of Hull House, in Chicago, and President of the newly formed Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF). In the middle is Alice Hamilton. She was a close associate of Addams in the Hull House project, and, in 1919, became the first woman professor at Harvard University. The third woman is Dutch pacifist, feminist and suffragist Aletta Jacobs, who was also involved with founding of the WILPF. Jacobs was also the first female University graduate in the Netherlands. (Medicine in 1877 and 1878). (Note: Film shot by photographer William H. Durborough.)
A large wooden replica of the Iron Cross medal is set up outdoors, where persons may drive nails into it, to mark their contributions of from one to five marks to the Red Cross, during World War 1. An older man in military uniform taps several nails into the top of the cross. Visiting American, Jane Addams, co-founder of Hull House, in Chicago, and President of the newly formed Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) stands nearby observing, as the man sets a nail into position at the center of the cross. He then lifts a small boy up, so he can finish hammering it in.
Relatives and friends visit wounded German soldiers at the Victoria Louise Hospital in Berlin, during World War 1. A large number of people are gathered outside the hospital. A young woman offers cigarettes to wounded soldiers who are outside in wheel chairs. A nurse passes out flowers to them. Another woman also seen walking along a line of wounded, giving them flowers. A civilian talking with several ambulatory wounded soldiers. He asks one about the wound to his head. Two recuperating soldiers watch as two others play chess. A group of recuperating soldiers pose as they gather around one who is bedridden. Some play cards on the lap of a soldier in a wheel chair. Scene shifts to inside the hospital. A bedridden soldier poses with nurse, for the camera. Some comrades stand behind his bed. She puts his military cap on his head. (Slate states that he died 20 minutes later.) More recuperating soldiers playing card games with those in beds in the ward. Doctor and nurses and staff seen in the ward. A soldier of short stature, with arm in a sling steps into the camera view as it pans along the ward, showing several of the recuperating soldiers. A hospital orderly wheels a patient towards the operating room.
A German soldier who was injured and lost both hands during World War 1 demonstrates ability to do tasks with the aid of metal mechanical prostheses. He is seen in a workshop, where he grasps and uses a file to smooth an object held in a vise. He then loosens the vise and places the object aside. He grasps a sponge and wipes his face. He picks up a comb and combs his hair.
Slate reads: "Russian troops turning the Turkish flank," in World War 1. They are seen massed on a snowy plain in the Caucasus. Then, led by mounted officers, they march along a muddy path in the snow. Next they are seen moving in a very long single file column, through snow covered landscape. Large numbers of Turkish prisoners of war move past the camera in a town and march along a snowy path. Occasional armed Russian soldiers are seen by the prisoners. Russian troops place supplies in a sledge. They are seen transporting soldiers and supplies in bullock carts and sleds drawn by cattle. They employ Bactrian camels that are able to withstand the extreme cold. They move a herd of camels through a village and up a steep mountain road. (World War i; World War 1; WWI; WW1)
Scene opens showing the statue of British Women's suffrage movement leader, Emmeline Pankhurst, located in Victoria Tower Gardens next to the Houses of Parliament, Westminster. (This was erected in her memory, in 1930, two years after her death.) A World War 1 parade of women in clothing of religious orders; nurses; some military; and academics. One group carries a banner reading "Demonstrate-Trained Nurses." It also depicts What appears to be an Angel of Mercy and an appeal to buy war bonds. They are followed by women carrying a large British Union Jack, and by others, in academic garb, carrying banners of academic institutions. (This march was probably organized by the "Women's Party," the 1917 group founded by the Panghursts' to replace their "Women's Social and Political Union." The new Party emphasized support for the British war effort.) Scene shifts to suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst viewed from camera behind her right shoulder as she addresses a large crowd. She is standing on a roofed platform in a park-like setting. The audience is mostly civilian, but a soldier is seen here or there. Several London Bobbies are in the audience, close to the speaker's stand. The next scene shows pedestrians gathered near Buckingham Palace, in London. A number of Bobbies (London policemen) are present, some on foot and some on horseback. The Queen Victoria monument is visible in the background. A horse-drawn carriage passes in front of the camera. Next, a woman is seen being arrested by two Bobbies, as passersby watch. An automobile passes and then the woman and police are seen approaching the camera as more officers become involved, keeping spectators away. In the final scene, in the 1920s, a man standing in front of a large group of women, congratulates one (probably Christabel Pankhurst). Closeup shows, from left to right, the man; a somewhat tired-looking Emmeline Pankhurst; and her daughter, Christabel.