The Blonde Brigade
Apr 1938: Actress Jean Colwell came up with a sure-fire way to end all wars. Her idea was that if a group of beautiful, blonde women stood in between the two opposing armies, in the "no man's land," then the soldiers on each side would refuse to attack because "No soldier will shoot at a good-looking blonde." Peace would be achieved!
To make her vision a reality, Colwell placed an ad in a New York newspaper:
The response was enthusiastic, and within a month she had enough volunteers to form a "blonde brigade," all wiling to risk their lives for peace.
Women of other hair colors didn't want to be left out. So there was soon also a "red-headed regiment" and a "brunette battalion."
Of course, none of these women were ever shipped to the front line to serve as a human shield. Colwell herself spent the war in Forth Worth, Texas performing in plays. After the war she moved to Japan as a civil service worker. When she died in 1986, she was back in Fort Worth. I haven't found any info on what she did between 1946 and 1986.
To make her vision a reality, Colwell placed an ad in a New York newspaper:
Are you blonde, beautiful and ready to join men in the trenches in the next war? It's the last chance to save this idiotic man's world. Jean Colwell, 124 West 55th.
The response was enthusiastic, and within a month she had enough volunteers to form a "blonde brigade," all wiling to risk their lives for peace.
Wisconsin State Journal - Mar 29, 1938
Los Angeles Times - Apr 27, 1938
Owensboro Messenger - Apr 2, 1938
Women of other hair colors didn't want to be left out. So there was soon also a "red-headed regiment" and a "brunette battalion."
San Bernardino County Sun - Apr 30, 1938
Of course, none of these women were ever shipped to the front line to serve as a human shield. Colwell herself spent the war in Forth Worth, Texas performing in plays. After the war she moved to Japan as a civil service worker. When she died in 1986, she was back in Fort Worth. I haven't found any info on what she did between 1946 and 1986.
Comments
Sounds like Rush Limbaugh's "All Amazon Fighting Brigade". They are deployed only once a month.
Posted by KDP on 11/14/21 at 11:45 AM
Sounds like someone with a fading career was trying to get some free publicity, and the papers were happy to run pictures of attractive women. The only mention of Jean Colwell I can find is in relation to this story.
Posted by ges on 11/14/21 at 10:03 PM
In other words, the anti-Lysistrata?
Posted by Richard Bos on 11/21/21 at 01:38 PM
What if the soldiers were all into brunettes or redheads instead?
Posted by Brian on 11/22/21 at 11:51 AM
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Category: War | 1930s | Women | Hair and Hairstyling