Office of Civilian Defense ER saw World War II as an opportunity to unify the American people, encourage citizen participation, and strengthen American democracy. She believed that "we must continue with the progressive social legislation as part of national defense." She was impressed with the accomplishments of her good friend Lady Stella Reading, who directed the Women's Voluntary Services for Civil Defense in England, and particularly by the way Reading had worked for greater social equality and justice. She wanted American women to become involved in the war effort in a similar way and successfully urged FDR to ask Florence Kerr, the head of Works Progress Administration Community Service Projects, to draw up a plan to make use of women volunteers in the war effort. ER worked closely with Kerr to produce a document entitled "American Social Defense Organization." Office of Civilian Defense
