The White Feather Campaign

The White Feather Campaign was an initiative during World War I in which women handed out white feathers to men who were not in military service as a symbol of cowardice. Launched in 1914 by the suffragist Maud Arncliffe Sennett, the campaign aimed to encourage enlistment in the British Army by shaming able-bodied men into joining the fight. While it highlighted the patriotism and sacrifice expected of citizens during the war, it also drew criticism for its harsh treatment of conscientious objectors and for misjudging individuals who may have had valid reasons for not serving.