There was a rise of female employment and interest in the public sphere developing in the 19th century. Religious groups allowed an outlet for women to get involved in their community, preach their values, well represent their morals, and allowed for religious institutions to keep an eye on these women while also promoting religious teachings and traditional values. Many of these groups such as the Catholic Women's League did hold an interest in war efforts and occasionally partnered with other organizations as reflected in their documented activities throughout the scrapbooks of the HSO.