Florence Barnard Boykin, referred to in Atlanta newspapers during World War I as Mrs. B. M. Boykin, was given the nickname of “mother of Camp Gordon.” Before Boykin, men volunteered in the Young Men’s Christian Association building at Camp Gordon. They were usually men who were too old or not healthy enough to serve in World War I.
World War I training camp Camp Gordon was established in 1917 in Chamblee, Georgia. Boykin recruited women volunteers to welcome soldiers to the YMCA Hostess House and make them feel at home. She also organized entertainment activities each week for the soldiers, sometimes up to 25 activities in a week. Her volunteers were part of the Woman’s Division of the Young Man’s Christian Association and the Overseas Canteen Service.
Florence Boykin was president of the Atlanta Woman’s Club. She served as chairperson of the war savings stamp drive during WWI, recruited 270 soldiers to sell 1 million dollars in stamps. (Atlanta: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow, by John Hornaday, 1922)
Boykin had other causes including the Anti-Saloon League, Poppy Day, and the anti-tuberculosis league. The Anti-Saloon League was a temperance movement, with a goal of making America dry. One of the ways they hoped to accomplish this was by closing down bars and saloons.
The Atlanta Constutition reported on March 2, 1918 that she received a wrist watch in recognition of her efforts to improve the lives of the trainees at Camp Gordon.
The Boykin’s son Barnard was called to duty during WW1. He went overseas in April 1918, serving in the 327th infantry, 82nd division. He returned safely following the war, but died from a heart attack a few years later, not out-living his parents.
A few years after the war ended, Florence Boykin was elected corresponding secretary of the Georgia State Federation of Women’s Clubs. (Atlanta Constitution, 1924) Some of her post-war Woman’s Club work was more light-hearted, such as coordinating a costume musicale.
Florence Boykin’s husband was Basil Manly Boykin. He was employed by the S. P. Richards Paper Company and later the Rankin Whitten Real Estate Company.
Florence Barnard Boykin died in 1957 and is buried at Decatur Cemetery in Decatur, Georgia.