Esther de Berdt Reed helped turn women's household and social networks into organized support for the Continental Army. Born in Britain, she moved to Philadelphia with her husband Joseph Reed and became involved in the Patriot community. Their home brought her into contact with political leaders, while wartime separation, disruption, and shortages gave practical urgency to the question of supporting soldiers.

In June 1780 she published the broadside The Sentiments of an American Woman under the name An American Woman. It invoked examples of women's courage and public service to argue that American women shared the patriotic commitment of men, even if custom prevented them from fighting. The appeal asked women to sacrifice luxuries and contribute money as a direct expression of gratitude to the army. It claimed a public role while using the language of accepted feminine duty.

Reed organized the Ladies Association of Philadelphia, whose members canvassed the city and collected contributions. The campaign crossed household boundaries and inspired efforts in other states. Reported totals require care because depreciated Continental currency and hard-money values were very different; a large nominal sum cannot be treated as an equivalent sum in stable coin. The importance of the effort lay in its scale, organization, and assertion that women could act collectively for a national cause.

Correspondence with George Washington concerned how the money should be used. Reed favored a personal gift to the soldiers, while Washington preferred clothing that would meet immediate military needs. After her death in September 1780, Sarah Franklin Bache and other women continued the work, turning the contributions into thousands of shirts for the troops. Reed therefore did not personally oversee every stage of the completed clothing project. Her brief career joined writing, fundraising, negotiation, and organization outside elected office.