Approximately 150,000 African-American soldiers, officers and men went to France to serve in World War I. Alongside them were thousands of African-American women who served in the various volunteer relief organizations like the Red Cross and the Y.M.C.A. Addie Hunton and Kathryn Johnson were two of the women who served.

With keen observation and intelligence, both women tell the story of what it was like to be overseas "fighting for democracy" with only a glimmer of hope of achieving it back home after the war. They relate the soldiers' stories as well as their own excitement at their new experiences in Europe. Their experience of interacting with the French sharply contrasted with the segregation and humiliation exported from America to France with the Yankee troops. Yet they did not carry bitterness home with them. They remained proud and glad that they had the privilege to serve.

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN 1921.