"On the evening of May 20," begins an article in the June 16, 1941, issue of Life magazine, "members of the Young Women's Republican Club of Milford, Connecticut, explored the pleasures of tobacco, poker, the strip tease and such other masculine enjoyments as had frequently cost them the evening companionship of husbands, sons and brothers." Parties known as "smokers" were normally for men only in that era. "If men can take it, so can we," the women said.
Nina Leen/Time and Life Pictures/Getty Images
Women of the GOP party in 1941 —
Life called the tap dance by Connie Mohr the "best act technically in show."
Nina Leen/Time and Life Pictures/Getty Images
Women of the GOP party in 1941 —
The entertainment included a mock wrestling match. Joan Thornwaite (back to camera) "won by tickling in five minutes." Her opponent wears a fake mustache held on with chewing gum.
Nina Leen/Time and Life Pictures/Getty Images
Women of the GOP party in 1941 —
"Spiked punch is dished out to the (night's performers) and local reporters," Life reported.
Nina Leen/Time and Life Pictures/Getty Images
Women of the GOP party in 1941 —
Life described the "Hefty Ballet" as "a choreographic burlesque devised by a local instructor."
Nina Leen/Time and Life Pictures/Getty Images
Women of the GOP party in 1941 —
The party left a mess. "Porters agreed they hadn't seen so many butts since (the) State Firemen's Convention in 1938." And where were the men? Life reports they were "flabbergasted" by the smoker and many "spent the evening playing bingo with abstainers and Democrats at another hall nearby." See more photographs from the night on Life.com.
