Dear Adolf 42-07-12 (4) Letter From An American Housewife

Summary

Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio – "Dear Adolf 42-07-12 (4) Letter From An American Housewife"

Release Date: July 20, 2025
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Title: Dear Adolf 42-07-12 (4) Letter From An American Housewife
Series: Dear Adolf
Episode Number: 4 of 6

---

Introduction

In this poignant episode of Harold's Old Time Radio, titled "Dear Adolf 42-07-12 (4) Letter From An American Housewife," the renowned actress Helen Hayes embodies the voice of an American housewife and mother writing a heartfelt letter to Adolf Hitler. Narrated by Stephen Vincent Benet, a distinguished American writer, the episode delves deep into the personal anguish and steadfast resistance of American women during wartime.

Helen Hayes' Letter to Adolf Hitler

Timestamp: [00:57] Helen Hayes delivers a powerful monologue, expressing the daily struggles and fears faced by American families under the threat of war. She vividly describes the devastation caused by bombs and machine-gun fire, lamenting the loss of innocent lives:

"The bomb by night, the machine gun bullet by day, the shattered house, the dead child held in the arms for so brief a space."
(00:57)

She emphasizes her identity as a housewife, tethered to the everyday responsibilities that war threatens to upend:

"The leftover steak and the socks and the school report, the child with the temperature in the watch at night... Yes, that's it. That's me."
(02:15)

Helen unequivocally declares her hatred for Hitler, not out of a sense of justice but because of the direct impact his actions have on her life and the lives of millions of American women:

"We hate you, Adolf Hitler. You are our enemy for life and death."
(03:20)

Voices of American Women

Timestamp: [03:49] The narrative transitions to other American women sharing their personal stories and grievances against Hitler. An American mother reflects on the repeated demands for her sons to go to war:

"You twice in my lifetime. My husband had to go to War in 1917. Now, thanks to you, you must go again... if you know anything about mothers, you will know that I and all other American mothers will see to it that none of us ever pay it again."
(03:49)

In contrast, a German man attempts to undermine these sentiments by questioning the actions of American women:

"That is what your women say. Well, that's all very fine, but what do they do?"
(04:34)

A German woman responds with a chilling declaration of loyalty to Hitler, showcasing the stark difference in perspectives:

"I am bearing my child for the funeral... he will be a soldier for the Fuhrer... to bear children who can fight for the Fuhrer, Kill for the Fuhrer, die for the Pharaoh."
(10:09)

Roles and Sacrifices of Women

Timestamp: [05:29] Helen Hayes highlights the multifaceted roles women play during war, from medical assistance to maintaining household stability:

"Working in the hospital, your duties will be necessary rather than glamorous... Detail and routine work which will, first thing, nurses aid."
(05:29)

A child’s innocent perspective underscores the emotional strain on families:

"And you'll be with us if you're here... But if it's in school or anything, I'm not going to be afraid."
(06:04)

African American women voices further layers of the narrative, addressing both the war effort and enduring racial injustices:

"I love my land as well as any of you... those we war against today despise my people and would drive them back to the old slave slavery of whips and chains."
(08:18)

Struggle for Equality and Recognition

Timestamp: [07:50] The episode poignantly addresses the intersection of war and civil rights. An African American woman voices the double burden of fighting against external foes and internal prejudices:

"What are my millions and my ancient wrong? What are my people bowed in darkness?"
(07:50)

Helen connects this struggle to historical figures who fought for equality, emphasizing the resilience and contributions of women:

"Sojourner Truth and Susan Anthony, Jane Addams, Harriet Tubman, Clara Barton. Women who fought, fought for women and for men."
(08:42)

Contrasting Perspectives: American vs. German Women

Timestamp: [09:43] A German man derides the active roles of American women, asserting traditional gender roles in Germany:

"We have put our women in their proper place... Bed, cooking, work, children, bed. They don't have to bother their heads about anything else."
(09:43)

Helen counters this by questioning the true happiness and fulfillment found in such restrictive roles:

"Are you so sure?"
(10:04)

Personal Loss and National Impact

Timestamp: [10:32] The letter poignantly touches on personal loss due to the war, illustrating the void left in families:

"They have sent it back to me in a box. They have not sent back my son."
(10:38)

An American mother shares her despair over the lack of basic necessities despite proclaimed victories:

"There has been another great victory, they tell me. Another great victory. But there is no bread in my house. There are no children in my house."
(10:51)

Final Plea for Justice and Peace

Timestamp: [12:34] Helen concludes her letter with a resolute call for meaningful peace grounded in justice:

"A pint of milk a day for every child. That's a big order. But it isn't silly. It isn't silly to women... We're practical in wanting not just peace, but peace that will mean something."
(12:34)

She emphasizes that true peace must involve the liberation and well-being of children, rejecting superficial or incomplete resolutions:

"No peace unless it is a piece of justice. No peace that does not set the children free."
(12:34)

Closing Remarks

Timestamp: [13:50] Stephen Vincent Benet wraps up the episode by highlighting the continued importance of these heartfelt letters and previews the next episode featuring an American Soldier's Letter to Hitler:

"This is the National Broadcasting Company."
(13:50)

Listeners are encouraged to engage with the series by obtaining copies of the letters through the Council for Democracy.

---

Key Takeaways

• Personal Impact of War: The episode deeply personalizes the abstract concept of war by showcasing the direct effects on American families, particularly women and children.

• Women's Roles and Resilience: It highlights the indispensable roles women play both on the home front and in supporting the war effort, underscoring their resilience and unwavering spirit.

• Intersectionality of Struggles: The narrative acknowledges the added layer of racial injustice faced by African American women, drawing parallels between the fight against external threats and internal injustices.

• Contrast in Ideologies: Through the juxtaposition of American and German women's perspectives, the episode underscores the fundamental differences in values and social structures between the two nations.

• Call for Justice-Based Peace: The concluding message champions a vision of peace that is not merely an absence of conflict but a restoration of justice and freedom for all, especially the younger generation.

---

Notable Quotes

• Helen Hayes:

  "We hate you, Adolf Hitler. You are our enemy for life and death."
  (03:20)

• American Mother:

  "You twice in my lifetime... if you know anything about mothers, you will know that I and all other American mothers will see to it that none of us ever pay it again."
  (03:49)

• German Woman:

  "I am bearing my child for the funeral... to kill for the Pharaoh."
  (10:09)

• African American Woman:

  "What are my millions and my ancient wrong? What are my people bowed in darkness?"
  (07:50)

• Helen Hayes:

  "No peace unless it is a piece of justice. No peace that does not set the children free."
  (12:34)

---

Conclusion

This episode of Harold's Old Time Radio serves as a compelling time capsule, capturing the emotional and societal turmoil experienced by American women during wartime. Through empathetic storytelling and evocative performances, it underscores the enduring spirit of resistance and the quest for a just and peaceful world. For listeners seeking a profound understanding of the human cost of war and the pivotal role of women in shaping its outcomes, this episode offers a deeply moving and insightful experience.

Transcript

[Stephen Vincent Benet]

Dear Adolf, A letter to Hitler. The National Broadcasting Company, in cooperation with the Council for Democracy, presents Dear Adolf, a series of six narrative letters written each week by Stephen Vincent Benet, one of the nation's greatest writers. These broadcasts are based upon actual letters written to Hitler by Americans. Today's program, the fourth of the series, presents Helen Hayes, distinguished actress of stage, screen and radio, relating the views of an American housewife and mother as she addresses a litter to Hitler.

[Helen Hayes]

It hasn't come to us yet. The bomb by night, the machine gun bullet by day, the shattered house, the dead child held in the arms for so brief a space. The other child not found at all, never found at all, in spite of the rescue squads and all the cars and the people who tried to find him. No, not yet. I am writing you a letter, Adolf Hitler. And I'm not saying, Dear Adolf, being a woman, I can't say that, not even in scorn or jest. For you are the enemy of all I know, of all I feel with my body, nor with my mind, the enemy of all women everywhere. And so I can't say Dear Adolf. Maybe men can say that, but I have my own things to say. I am young and old, middle aged, with my children grown, with my children still in my care. I live in a town, a city, a suburb, a pleasant tree shaded street, a bare street, hard with traffic, ugly with noise, and the bomb has not reached me yet. I go up and down on my day's small business that never begins or stops because a family never begins or stops. It keeps on being a family every day. The leftover steak and the socks and the school report, the child with the temperature in the watch at night, the new kind of salad where Tom will say, what's this? But I'll give him waffles too, so he won't mind. Yes, that's it. That's me. The millions of us all over America who tell the census clerk, occupation, housewife, and we buy the food for the nation and guard its children, we keep the house and see that Mr. Gets fed. And because of those things, we hate you, Adolf Hitler. You are our enemy for life and death. I do not say it is just or right to hate. I say we hate you for having caused this. Hate and hate and love are lasting things for a woman. The selfish and pampered women of America, according to your book, say this to.

[American Mother]

You twice in my lifetime. My husband had to go to War in 1917. Now, thanks to you, you must go again. And this time my sons too must go twice in my life, you and people like you have put all I hold dear in danger. I know the price you are making me pay. Our way of life is worth it. But if you know anything about mothers, you will know that I and all other American mothers will see to it that none of us ever pay it again.

[German Man]

That is what your women say. Well, that's all very fine, but what do they do?

[German Woman]

Air raid warden, post seven on duty.

[Helen Hayes]

All quiet tonight. All quiet tonight. But there are thousands like her, and day or night, they're on duty. There are others on other duty. Women with children.

[Child]

King, what do you know? Mom signed up to be an airplane splatter. Hey, when Mom's up in the tower, we'd better all run for the shelters.

[African American Woman]

Yes, that's what he said at first.

[Helen Hayes]

But I have good eyes.

[African American Woman]

And after I'd been in the tower for a couple of nights, I discovered he was rather proud of me.

[Helen Hayes]

Just a housewife. 47 in California. But she has good eyes. And here I am now going to demonstrate the triangular bandage for serious head injuries. Please look at the board. When you pass your training and start.

[American Mother]

Working in the hospital, your duties will be necessary rather than glamorous. You will be expected to relieve the regular nurses of a certain amount of.

[Helen Hayes]

Detail and routine work which will, first thing, nurses aid. And we've all seen the cartoons and the jokes about traction splints. Because here, somehow we can make fun of ourselves and yet keep on with the job and get it done. And then, of course, for all of us, there's this.

[Child]

And if we were really bummed and to take care of Ellie, Aren't I, mother? Because she's pretty little.

[Helen Hayes]

Yes, dear.

[Child]

And you'll be with us if you're here. Now, remember about the sand in the pails. But if it's in school or anything, I'm not going to be afraid. And I'm not going to cause any unnecessary dis. Disturbance. Neither must Ellie.

[African American Woman]

No, dear. But Ellie understands.

[Child]

And remember about lying flat, Ellie, if it comes very near.

[Helen Hayes]

That's why we hate you. That's why we can't rest or have peace till you're blacked out. Till you and all who are alike, you are blacked out from the world we wish to have born. You have stretched your hands at our children and there is blood on your hands. The last war was bad and yet it was far away for us, for most here for the lucky. This is near and near and near. It walks into our houses every day in Black House. And the sharp, clear voices over the radio and the going away of men. This is our war. Our war. Not only our men's. And we mean to fight it, as you shall see. Adolf Hitler from Plymouth Rock. Our women went with the men and not as toys or chattels. They worked and shared. They knew who took the brunt of the pioneering. The women who bore their children on clipper ships. The women who kept the half faced camps in the cold. And they were free women. And their strain is in us and shall go on.

[African American Woman]

Free women. What of me? What are my millions and my ancient wrong? What are my people bowed in darkness?

[Helen Hayes]

Still dark? Sister, your wrong is old and true and grievous and heavy on the heart. And yet Sojourner Truth could rise and speak. A woman and a slave speak and be heard. Even in the darkest days they are.

[African American Woman]

Still dark for many of my people. I love my land as well as any of you. I know that those we war against today despise my people and would drive them back to the old slave slavery of whips and chains, the lash upon the back, the ancient wrong. And yet even today we find no place even in war for much that we could do and would do for our country.

[Helen Hayes]

That is true. And yet there is a change. It comes how slowly. But it comes at last. It comes by inches. Yet the ground is won and only on free soil. For only there can there be growth and change. Can there be men and women who stand up for others rights not only for their own. Who will spend days years lives in striking at some ancient wrong, some old entrenched injustice till it falls. Sojourner Truth and Susan Anthony, Jane Addams, Harriet Tubman, Clara Barton. Women who fought, fought for women and for men. For all the people, for the common people. And each a handful of American dust. Those are our women.

[German Man]

Yes. That is just the trouble with your corrupt democratic state. Your women mix into all sorts of things that are none of their business. We have put our women in their proper place. Bed, cooking, work, children, bed. They don't have to bother their heads about anything else. They are very happy.

[Helen Hayes]

Are you so sure?

[German Man]

We have the records. This is our kind of woman.

[German Woman]

I am bearing my child for the funeral. I am happy beyond birth to bear my child for the pure. When he grows to manhood, he will be a soldier for the Fuhrer. I will be his mother and see him die for the Fuhrer. That is the highest duty. To bear children who can fight for the Fuhrer, Kill for the Fuhrer, die for the Pharaoh.

[African American Woman]

They will not let me put my Son's death notice in the papers. They say there are too many death notices in the papers. It makes a bad impression. Breathe.

[Helen Hayes]

For the fear of my son. Got the Iron Cross. They have sent it back to me in a box. They have not sent back my son.

[German Woman]

Kill Queen of Peer.

[American Mother]

There has been another great victory, they tell me. Another great victory. But there is no bread in my house. There are no children in my house.

[German Woman]

Die for the Pharaoh.

[Helen Hayes]

Seek H. Yes, that's it. That's what you've done. That's what you've done to the women of Germany. That's what you've done to their children. That's what you would do to ours. To the flesh of our flesh, the bodies of our bodies. Young looking up with big eyes. That is your war. That is your kind of war. The war against the children. The war against the children of your foes. With bombs and treachery and slow starvation. The war against the children of your land. To make them shouting slaves of a machine. And that is why we hate you, Adolf Hitler. And ask for sacrifice and pray for courage. And we'll give up whatever must be given. The pleasant days, the easy luxuries. Just so your hands will not destroy our children. Just so your hate will not destroy their hearts. Oh, yes, we hear the small dividing voices. The petty voices nagging in our ears. Playing your game.

[Child]

Well, my dear, of course it all sounds very nice. United Nations. But if you think Britain and Russia won't let us down.

[Helen Hayes]

The milk.

[German Man]

They get a chance to pint a milk a day for every child in the world. Say, that's the silliest idea I ever heard of. Suppose they'll want to give it to the Eskimos too?

[Helen Hayes]

Yes, those are voices playing your old game. Class against class, ally against ally, race against race, smugness against the dream. A pint of milk a day for every child. That's a big order. But it isn't silly. It isn't silly to women. We happen to know children and no milk. We're practical about real things like those. We're practical in wanting not just peace, but peace that will mean something. We're practical in wanting a new world where every kind of child has room to grow. And this time, statesmen, premiers, diplomats, men of goodwill and men of less goodwill. Our voices shall be heard at the peace table. The voices of the free women of the world loud in your ears, persistent as the sea. No peace unless it is a piece of justice. No peace that does not set the children free.

[Stephen Vincent Benet]

You have just heard, dear Adolph, starring Helen Hayes. The fourth of a series of six narrative letters written each week by Stephen Vincent Benet. Presented by the National Broadcasting Company in cooperation with the Council for Democracy. This program will not be heard next Sunday due to the performance at that time of the new Shostakovich Symphony by the NBC Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Arturo Toscanini. However, be sure to listen at this same time on Sunday, July 26, to an American Soldier's Letter to Hitler, with Jeffrey Lynn as narrator. Copies of today's Dear Adolf letter relating the views of an American housewife and mother may be secured without cost by writing directly to the council for democracy, 11 West 42nd Street, New York City. This is the National Broadcasting Company.