Maria Bochkareva, May 21, 1917: recruiting speeches.

Maria Bochkareva

Maria Bochkareva was the founder and leader of the Russian Women's Battalion of Death. The following May 21, 1917 incident, involving several recruiting speeches, was set to print when she dictated her memoirs after the war. Part of this speech also appears in her chapter in Women Heroes of World War I: 

"'Men and women citizens!' I heard my voice say, 'Our mother is perishing! Our mother is Russia. I want to help to save her. I want women whose hearts are loyal, whose souls are pure, whose aims are high. With such women setting an example of self-sacrifice, you men will realize your duty in this grave hour!'

Then I stopped and could not proceed. Sobs choked the words in me, tremors shook me, my legs grew weak. I was caught under the arms and led away amid a thunderous outburst of applause..."

Later that evening, Bochkareva addressed a crowd of 2,000 women volunteers (which later thinned out to 300 due to Bochkareva's authoritarianism):

"'Women! Do you know what I have called you here for? Do you realize clearly the task lying ahead of you? Do you know what war is? War! Look into your hearts, examine your souls, and see if you can stand the great test. At a time when our country is perishing it is the duty of all of us to rise to its succour. The morale of our men has fallen low and it is for us women to serve as an inspiration for them. But only such women as have sacrificed their own personal interests and affairs can do this.'"

From pages 159-161 of Yashka, My Life as Peasant and Soldier. A portion of this also appears in "Maria Bochkareva: Women's Battalion of Death" from Women Heroes of World War I.

The Women's Battalion of Death