Gertrude Ely was a fascinating woman; her life was one of activism and adventure. The daughter of a Pennsylvania Railroad vice president, Miss Ely was an 1899 graduate of Bryn Mawr College. She worked with the YMCA in Europe during WWI and was twice decorated with the French Croix de Guerre for "distinguished bravery under fire". Ely was also the first American woman to cross the Rhine with the American army of occupation, marching at the head of the column just behind General Frank Parker and his officers with the 18th Infantry, 1st Division. Later, she was active in the League of Women Voters and served as president of the Pennsylvania chapter. A staunch Democrat, she also worked with the Pennsylvania Works Progress Administration
Gertrude Ely was a fascinating woman; her life was one of activism and adventure. The daughter of a Pennsylvania Railroad vice president, Miss Ely was an 1899 graduate of Bryn Mawr College. She worked with the YMCA in Europe during WWI and was twice decorated with the French Croix de Guerre for "distinguished bravery under fire". Ely was also the first American woman to cross the Rhine with the American army of occupation, marching at the head of the column just behind General Frank Parker and his officers with the 18th Infantry, 1st Division. Later, she was active in the League of Women Voters and served as president of the Pennsylvania chapter. A staunch Democrat, she also worked with the Pennsylvania Works Progress Administration
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