I was a famous poster girl!
New Zealand Woman's Weekly|May 10, 2021
HER FACE WAS EVERYWHERE, BUT SHE ONLY GOT PAID $20!
Fleur Guthrie
I was a famous poster girl!

She’s the image behind an enduring World War II recruitment poster that was declared an American icon. She’s also probably the only person still alive who remembers its creation, says Weslee D’Audney, who over the years has found her famous face reprinted on everything from tote bags to face masks.

Chatting to the Weekly from her retirement village north of Auckland, the remarkable 95-year-old recalls how she was propelled into the spotlight nearly 80 years ago when she was a pre-med student in New York City.

“Pearl Harbour had just been bombed and President Roosevelt called his cabinet a couple of days later to ask them for a prioritised list of things that were most urgently needed to fight and win this war,” tells Weslee. “After manpower and arms, third on the list was the need for nurses because they were anticipating a very long, bloody war. It was decided the best thing to do was a poster campaign to recruit nurses.

“William Ritter, a commercial photographer I had previously worked with on modelling shoots, called me to his studio and asked me to don a student nurse’s uniform. I was paid $20 for a two-hour sitting and he said to me, ‘This is going to be big.’ That’s all I knew about it!”

There were one million posters produced – showcasing her beautiful image with bright red lips and arched eyebrows – and sent to every high school, university, library and post office in the US.

This story is from the May 10, 2021 edition of New Zealand Woman's Weekly.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the May 10, 2021 edition of New Zealand Woman's Weekly.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM NEW ZEALAND WOMAN'S WEEKLYView All
The perfect GETAWAY
New Zealand Woman's Weekly

The perfect GETAWAY

From lengthy airport clinches to party ghosting, Michéle examines goodbyes

time-read
2 mins  |
November 11, 2024
Message in a BOTTLE
New Zealand Woman's Weekly

Message in a BOTTLE

Kevin makes a discovery in his shed that piques his detective skills

time-read
2 mins  |
November 11, 2024
Empowered & thriving!  PERFECT AT ANY AGE
New Zealand Woman's Weekly

Empowered & thriving! PERFECT AT ANY AGE

Weekly editor Marilynn bravely shares her bold new approach to living her best life at 50 and beyond

time-read
2 mins  |
November 11, 2024
Nature goals FIND YOUR GREEN SPACE
New Zealand Woman's Weekly

Nature goals FIND YOUR GREEN SPACE

From stressed to refreshed! Lifestyle medicine practitioner Dr Jenny Brockis shares the simple steps you should adopt to give your wellbeing a boost

time-read
2 mins  |
November 11, 2024
Nature & the city KELLY & MARLEY'S WILD PROJECT
New Zealand Woman's Weekly

Nature & the city KELLY & MARLEY'S WILD PROJECT

The podcaster’s eyes have been opened to a new way of life

time-read
3 mins  |
November 11, 2024
TikTok star Paris 'I'M BRINGING OUR KAI TO THE WORLD
New Zealand Woman's Weekly

TikTok star Paris 'I'M BRINGING OUR KAI TO THE WORLD

After a tough start to motherhood, the foodie tells how she reclaimed her life

time-read
3 mins  |
November 11, 2024
Love and the city! WENDYL'S CHANGE OF HEART
New Zealand Woman's Weekly

Love and the city! WENDYL'S CHANGE OF HEART

After a decade in the country, she’s given up the good life to return home

time-read
3 mins  |
November 11, 2024
New TV star Andy 'I THOUGHT BEIN AN ALL BLACK WAS TOUGH!' Кро
New Zealand Woman's Weekly

New TV star Andy 'I THOUGHT BEIN AN ALL BLACK WAS TOUGH!' Кро

It was a big shift channelling his talent into the hit show Moving Houses, but the sporting legend is a natural

time-read
4 mins  |
November 11, 2024
Babies and beyond! INES HEALS BRAD'S HEART
New Zealand Woman's Weekly

Babies and beyond! INES HEALS BRAD'S HEART

The actor is embracing life with his zero-drama’ partner

time-read
3 mins  |
November 11, 2024
Spreading the joy SIR ASHLEY'S KINDNESS CLUB
New Zealand Woman's Weekly

Spreading the joy SIR ASHLEY'S KINDNESS CLUB

The Kiwi health legend is taking a jab at teaching kids important life skills

time-read
3 mins  |
November 11, 2024