Eleanor “Lonore” Kent Van Swearingen (1907-1993) was an activist and writer who moved to Alexandria, Virginia in 1931. During that time, she was a member of the Old Town Civic Association, the National Paint, Varnish and Lacquer Association, the Capital Speakers Club, and a member of other various organizations related to activism and local politics.

Ruth Sarles Benedict (1906-1996) was an anti-war activist who was part of the National Council for Prevention of War. She graduated from Denison University in 1928 where she then went on to become a researcher for the America First Committee and worked as a reporter.

The Bonus Army March comprised a grouping of World War I veterans who, in 1932, decided to march on Washington D.C. in order to receive their service bonus, also known as the “Tombstone Bonus,” that was promised to be paid out in 1945. The marching group originated in Portland, Oregon with the body of veterans travelling across the country to formally march in June of 1932. The primary purpose of the Bonus Army March was to secure an early payment to help offset the financial burden brought on by the Great Depression.

During the summer of the Bonus Army’s march, the House of Representatives introduced the house bill “Payment of Adjusted-Compensation Certificates” that would provide an immediate cash payment to veterans. The bill was rejected by the Senate but to discourage continued protesting they passed a counter bill allowing veterans to borrow against their adjusted-service certificates. Many new veterans joined the Bonus Army March over the following weeks and protests continued to expand as the Senate bill did not meet the demands of the encampment. On July 28, President Herbert Hoover officially approved deployment of the military to begin removing the Bonus Army March encampments from Washington D.C.