BACKGROUND: The Deutscher Frauenarbeitsdienst, (German Women’s Labor Service), was originally established as a voluntary labor organization in February 1933 under the auspices of the NS Frauenschaft, (National Socialist Women’s Organization). In June 1935 a law was enacted to make labor service compulsory and in April 1936 the Deutscher Frauenarbeitsdienst was separated from the NS Frauenschaft, and became the RADwj, Reichsarbeitsdienst der weiblichen Jugend, (National Labor Service for Young females). Prior to incorporation into the RADwJ, the Deutscher Frauenarbeitsdienst had instituted rank brooches in three grades, bronze, silver and gold. These early rank brooches were utilized until August 1937 when new pattern rank brooches were introduced. Personnel who had been issued the earlier brooches retained the right to wear them as a traditions type badge.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Silver grade, 45mm diameter, convexed circular, stamped tombac brooch with nickel/silver plating. Brooch features an embossed canted swastika to center on a randomly textured field, flanked by three sheaths of wheat on each side and encompassed by a smooth outer edge surface with embossed Sütterlin script, "Arbeit für dein Volk. Adelt dich Selbst Deutscher Frauenarbeitsdienst", (Work for your people. Ennoble yourself. German Women’s Labor Service. Reverse of brooch with impressed serial numerals and soldered on horizontal pin back device. Scarce.