Striking for Victory

Abstract

Abstract By the 1940s, the Women's International Bowling Congress (WIBC) was the largest sports membership organization for women in the world. At the advent of World War II, the WIBC implemented a nationwide fundraising campaign to support the war effort resulting in the direct purchase of a bomber, an ambulance, and three air evacuation planes for the US Armed Forces. The WIBC war effort unified, engaged, and connected more than two hundred thousand members to a common cause, while contributing to a significant growth in women's organized bowling nationwide. The effort helped usher in the “modern era” of women's organized bowling. Through it all, the WIBC emerged a more cohesive, stable group of state and local affiliations. The story of how WIBC leadership marshaled resources to contribute to the war effort while continuing their commitment to membership growth in wartime is important for the value it adds to the history of women's sports.