Women, go to the cooperation. (Nivinsky I.) Soviet Posters (1917-1941)

This is a Soviet propaganda poster from 1918 titled Women, Go To Cooperation. The central figure is a woman, likely a peasant, wearing a red blouse, a white headscarf, and a dark, polka-dotted skirt. She is depicted lifting a large sheaf of wheat over her head, symbolizing harvest and agricultural bounty. Her stance is strong and determined, suggesting agency and contribution.

The background is a rich, deep blue, contrasting with the earthy tones of the wheat and the stylized suggestion of fields and possibly distant buildings or fences in the lower portion of the image. The poster features prominent text in bold, sans-serif Cyrillic script. The main slogan at the bottom reads WOMEN, GO TO COOPERATION. Above, in smaller text, are phrases like ALL-RUSSIAN CENTRAL UNION and CONSUMER SOCIETIES, indicating the organizations involved.

The subtext of this poster is multifaceted:

• Empowerment of Women: By placing a woman as the central, heroic figure and directly addressing her with a call to action, the poster suggests that women have a vital role to play in the new Soviet society and its economic endeavors.
• Agricultural Importance: The prominent depiction of the wheat sheaf highlights the importance of agriculture to the nations survival and prosperity, especially in the post-revolution period.
• Promotion of Cooperatives: The core message is an endorsement of the cooperative movement. Cooperatives were seen as a way to organize production and distribution more efficiently and equitably, aligning with socialist ideals. The poster encourages women to participate actively in these consumer and producer societies.
• Mobilization and Collective Action: The poster serves as a call for mobilization and collective action. It urges women to unite and contribute their labor and efforts towards building the socialist economy through cooperative structures.
• Building a New Society: Created in the nascent years of the Soviet Union, the poster is part of a broader effort to shape public consciousness and rally support for the new regimes economic and social policies. The imagery and text aim to inspire a sense of purpose and participation in the grand project of constructing a new society.