Started and led by Esther DeBerdt Reed⁴, The Ladies Association of Philadelphia had women working as canvassers, “[setting] out in pairs, dividing the city among them, and [going] door-to-door asking for donations” (Roberts 124-5). The organization became a widespread success, spreading across the colonies and opening new branches in various cities (Roberts 126-7). Together, “the ladies had raised more than $300,000” (Roberts 128) and used the funds to make 2,200 shirts for the soldiers, each with the name of the lady who made it embroidered on it (Roberts