During WWI, Adams was the first woman journalist in French front-line trenches.
In September 1914, during World War I, Harriet Chalmers Adams was granted unprecedented access as a journalist to the French front-line trenches, an area typically barred to female reporters. Representing Harper’s Magazine, Adams documented the war efforts with a critical eye, showcasing her fearless approach and commitment to unbiased reporting. Her work not only promoted a more nuanced understanding of the war but also advanced the role of women in journalism.