Celebrating the Women of World War II
World War II saw American women from all walks of life step up to serve their country, both in the military and on the homefront, filling many jobs that had previously been unavailable to them. In addition to the more traditional clerical and nursing positions, they became aircraft mechanics and parachute riggers, foundry workers and metalsmiths, cryptographers and control tower operators. They joined every branch of the military, serving both at home and abroad, freeing up men to fight in the war. Sometimes they even found themselves in harms way – 67 Army nurses and 16 Navy nurses spent three years in POW camps. They were true pioneers, showing grit and determination as they paved the way for generations of women to follow.
Featured Photos of Women of World War II:
SPAR Cadets on Coast Guard Patrol Craft
Women at Work on Bomber at Douglas Aircraft Company
Army Flight Nurse Mary Louise Hawkins
WAC Signal Corps Field Switchboard Operators
WASP Pilots Leaving Their B-17 Flying Fortress
"Blood for the Beachheads" Blood Drive
Dorothy Lucke is Wiper at Iowa Railroad Roundhouse
Elaine Norwich of WLA Showing Bushel of Beans
Two WAVES Looking Out Gun Mount Door
Willa Beatrice Brown, Civil Air Patrol
Flight Nurse Cares for Wounded on Trip from Iwo Jima
Join the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps WWII Recruiting Poster
