Women of World War II: Housewife to Hero

A true war story is not a single sotry, but rather a story of many individuals whoes lives are forever changed and impacted through the course of war.  This war story begins with just a good afternoon's work, as the women of World War II step onto the welding docks, into the musky factories, into open fire, and onto the field. Although these women come from different backgrounds, each have their own story and are all united under their newfound freedom. Together these women protected and healed America during a time of war, and changed the culture and the perception of women forever.

Throughout American history, women have played significant roles: they cooked, sewed, cared for the children, and supported their husbands. However, these women went unrecognized.  But on December 8, 1941, the day after Pearl Harbor, men packed up their bags, went off to war, and everything changed.

Women followed the government's call and took their places on the home front. Women were encouraged to get war jobs. Supplies for war needed to be made, and companies had no man power, so they turned to the women. The Basic Program Plan for Woman Office of War Information recognized and stated that "these jobs will have to be glorified as a patriotic war service if American women are to be persuaded to take them 

and stick to them. Their importance to a nation engaged in total war must be convincinly presented." The governemt knew that they needed women in order to survive the war. They created posters, like this one to the right, to encourage women to get war jobs. Women like Peggy Meeker of San Pedro, California, responded to these ads and became airplane craftsmen. Other women became factory workers, riveters, welders, and farmers. Over 6 million women took up war jobs because they felt it was their patriotic duty. The women took great pride in their work and gained new confidence. Peggy Meeker wrote to her future husband and talked about her experience with building aircrafts. "You better be careful how you talk to me 'cause I have developed a big muscle in my right arm... so take it easy kid."

These jobs sparked new independence for women, but they were very difficult. As the men fought abroad, women fought at home. Their jobs were time consuming, dangerous, and paid very little. An average riviter would work 9 hours a day, six days a week, and earn around $10-30 a week. But women continued to work because the money they made and the new craft they learned allowed them to be more independent. Propoganda also inspired many women to become Rosie the Riveters. Norman Rockwell's famous drawing of Rosie the Riveter (left) was published in the Evening Post to depict women as determined and most importantly, patriotic. This picture spoke to women throughout the work force and encouraged them to continue building artillery and ammuniton. Rosie became the icon for women during this period.

Many women admired Roise and aspired to be as determined and patriotic as she was. The song Rosie the Riveter illustrated the job the riverters had to undertake, but in an upbeat way that kept the unity and patriotism alive in America.

Rosie the Riveter: (1942)

Original Lyrics by Redd Evans and Jacob Loeb

Song by: Four Vagabonds

Young girls were also moved by Rosie. Twelve year-old Joan Folley of Wichita, Kansas, descirbed how she and her classmates helped the war effort. "My mother saves grease for bullets. I also buy a war stamp every time I get a quarter.... We Girl Scouts are doing our bit by taking care of small children so that the parents may work in war factories." Because of Girl Scouts like Joan, women like the ones in the photo above were able to work and help their country. These women were full of pride and felt that it was their patriotic duty to get a job. Meda Brendall worked 7 days a week as a ship yard welder and was full of pride because she felt that she was helping America win the 

war. Women continued to volunteer and work even though it was challenging because they wanted to bring home a victory. United under this concept, women continued to work on the home front, while others chose to fight.

For the 1st time in American history, women were allowed to join the military. These women were volunteers in the war. They trained to be Air Force Service Piolts (WASP's), Army Corps (WAC), marines.  All of these groups went overseas  and took up noncombat jobs.  They would free men from combat.  These were not the typical war jobs, but through these jobs, women became more resourceful and self-sufficient.  Many women felt it was their patriotic duty to serve American military.  

At the peak of the war there were over 100,000 WAC's. One WAC, Violet Hill Gordon, an African American, spoke of how her experience in the WAC changed her life. It changed her from a "shy introspective person into a leader." Violet Hill went on to be the 2nd in Commanding officer in her 32nd Company, a racially intergrated Company. This war changed the culture for America. These women fought for American, for the freedom they could finally take part in. Women were able to hold high officer positions and it didn't matter the race. This war gave women of all races, colors and social ranks the same oppurtunity: to experience independence.

The WASP's also played a vital role in World War II.  Two women in particular, Dora Dougherty and Dorthea Moorman 

(right) drove the new planes called the B-29.  These fighter planes were for live fire missions. They were larger and heavier than any other fighter planes.  The men refused to fly these planes, but the women did not.  Dougherty and Moorman were called to duty and asked to fly these planes to show the men that if a woman could do it, they could too. Even though women continued to prove themselves to men, they were still viewed as inferior, and women baseball players were no exception.

In 1943, the majority of major league baseball players were in the army.  Philip Wrigley, of Wrigley Gum, controlled most of the baseball industry and felt that the contiuation of baseball was crucial in America and would enhance unity and  patriotism.  In other words, no baseball, no money for Wrigley, so he turned to the women, and the All-American Girls Baseball League (AAGBL) was formed.  AAGBL players made between $45 and $85 per week, which is a significant amount more then the average worker making $10-30 per week.  Despite this luxury in money, women were expected to act as ladies when they played a "man's game."  The Wrigley organization expected the girls to attend "Charm School."  

The girls also had to follow a dress code, consisting of a one-piece tunic dress above the knee.  They also had to show their hair under their baseball caps.  This lady-like behavior was set in place to distinguish men's baseball from women's.  Women did get the opportunity to play the sport they love and follow their passion, but still had to battle gender discrimination.  The League was set up to raise American moral and unite the country.  The girls played with plenty of passion in hopes of keeping the league alive so that they may continue their dreams of playing professional baseball.  These girls traveled from city to city on team buses to play doubleheaders on weekends.  They were exhausted and bruised because when they slid, they would get huge gashes from the scraping of the dirt against their skin because their skirts didn't cover their legs.  However, these girls continued to play; whether it be for the love of the game, or because they enjoyed bringing the country together, these girls played and played hard.  One of the stars of league was Dottie Kamenshek (above), who was the all around leader in batting with a .316 average in 1946 and .306 in 1947, along with most runs scored and fewest strike outs. 

Dottie played for the Illinois Rockford Peaches and it was that famous game in 1946 that brought Americans to their feet.  The fourteen-inning game between the Racine Belles and Wrigley's own Rockford Peaches  had crowds cheering.  Max Carey, Baseball Hall of Famer, said "barring none, even the majors, it's the best game I've ever seen."  Although, the AABLB ended in 1954, America was changed.  Women's Baseball would go down in history and the women and the culture of America changed. 

These girls, along with the riveters, factory workers, welders, WAC's, and WASP's learned the importance of team work, had work, determination, and unity.  Just as boys become men in war, the girls became women.  These women changed the course of American history.  They were no longer "just the housewives." Edith Speert of Clevland, Ohio wrote to her husband and spoke of this change.   "I want you to know now that you are not married to a girl that's interested solely in a home... I get emotional satisfaction out of working; and I don't doubt that many a night you will cook the supper while I'm a a meeting.  I shall never wash and iron--there are laundries for that!" The male dominated culture of America changed as women became more independent during World War II.  This culture shift affected not just the women of World War II, but the men as well.  It impacted everyone around the world, and continues to impact us today.    

 This is a war story about you, it is about me, it is about we.  All around the world people have been impacted by these womens stories.  They have changed American and the world. Change is a good thing.  It shows progression and strength.  We need to find the strength in ourselves as the women of America did in World War II and fight for freedom and continue to seek unity.  The women of  World War II did, and we can to.  Today is our time.  "We can do it!"

 

Here is a video of the Women of World War II.

Watch how these women change America: