Women in World War II Essay - 992 Words

Women in World War II During World War II Hitler was skulking around Europe pretending to save Germany, military minds in Washington were stonewalling womens organizations, patriotic pressures, and anyone who had the temerity to suggest that women should be in the military. The politicians, in typical gerrymandering fashion, made flimsy promises of considering an auxiliary of sorts while quietly hoping it would all go away and secretly trying to figure out how to stop it. Fortunately Congresswoman Edith Nourse Rogers and Eleanor Roosevelt thought otherwise. Congresswoman Rogers introduced a bill on May 28 th, 1941, to establish a Womens Army Auxiliary Corps for service with the Army of the United States. By virtue of its being an†¦show more content†¦While bills were being bandied around Congress, women were being trained at the first WAAC Training Center in Fort Des Moines, Iowa. With a nudge from Eleanor Roosevelt, the Navy got its act together and began authorizing a Wome ns Naval Reserve and the Marine Corps Womens reserve. The Coast Guard followed soon after. The first director of the WAVES - Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service - was Lt Commander Mildred McAfee, President of Wellesley College. The SPARS, which came from the Coast Guard motto Semper Paratus - always ready, were led by Lt Commander Dorothy C. Stratton. The Marine Corps Womens Reserve was headed by Major Ruth Cheyney Streeter. The WAAC was changed to the WAC establishing it as a part of the Army and not an auxiliary by a second bill in July of 1943, signed in to law by President Roosevelt. While all this politicking was going on the first WAAC contingent was serving at the Allied Forces Headquarters in Algiers, North Africa. By January of 1944 the first WACs arrived in the Pacific and in July of 1944 ,WACs landed on the beach at Normandy. There were over one hundred thousand women in uniform at this point in time. Nurses were already serving in England and Egypt. Women cont inued to serve overseas through 1945 and at one point there were over 2000 WACs serving in North Africa alone. From there women were sent to Italy to serve with the 5th Army and these women moved all over Italy during the Italian campaign handling theShow MoreRelatedWomen in World War II747 Words   |  3 PagesWomen in World War II Women were important during World War II because of all of the different jobs they did. During World War II women lost loved ones including their husbands, boyfriends, and their sons (Reynoldson 5). They might have also lost their fathers in the war. They could have even lost their mothers. What are some of the roles women do in World War II? During World War II there were many shortages (Reynoldson 13). The women had all kinds of opportunities. They could work outsidesRead MoreWomen in World War Ii2579 Words   |  11 PagesHistory 103 Sec 002 Fall Term Research Paper In what specific ways did the Second World War change the lives of women in Canada and/or the United States? Were the changes merely temporary or did they sow the seeds of collapse for traditional gender roles? * * The Second World War dramatically changed the lives of women in both Canada and the United States, on every level from political, to social, to sexual. Further, the changes in women’s lives during this time were not merely temporaryRead MoreThe Women Of The World War II1460 Words   |  6 Pagesa proud grin on his face. Alongside of him, is a young boy holding the solider right hand with a look of admiration for his hero. There attire appears to be from the twentieth century. To be more specific, they seem to stepped right out of the World War II time period. The solider is wearing a U.S. Army M-1943 Uniform, which consist of a M1 helmet. 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When the war started there was a l ack of man power on the home front whichRead MoreWomen During World War II Essay1356 Words   |  6 Pages1941 was the day when America declared war, but it was also the years following that women had the chance to show their patriotism in a way they never had before; working outside of their homes. World War II was a chance to contribute to what was needed most, the war efforts. In a dire situation that is War, women moved from their homes help the America for the better of society and their husbands off at war. Before the War Prior to World War II women were seen as house wives, taking careRead MoreWomen During World War II1674 Words   |  7 PagesIn World War II, women contributed in many ways by entering the battle. Some of the jobs the women held were Army nurses, Red Cross members, factory work, etc. The United States were one of the few countries that put their women to work and was ridiculed for it. In 1948, President Truman signed the Women s Armed Services Integration Act which authorized regular and reserve status for women in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. These women showed true leadership by becoming leaders in battleRead MoreWomen During World War II1793 Words   |  8 Pages2060 Marilyn Miller Women in World War II Introduction Before World War II, women were the ones customarily responsible for taking care of their houses and children. Typically, they were not allowed to pursue their dreams of having a career in the field of their choosing. It wasn’t until the start of World War II that women were allowed to venture outside of their homes and housekeeping tasks to explore a whole new world of opportunities created by wartime efforts. Women were needed to fill theRead MorePost World War II Women991 Words   |  4 PagesPost World War II women were marginalized and endured several limitations throughout the 20th century as a result of rigid gender roles, minimal education and job opportunities. My family’s history demonstrates the rarity of divorce and separation. However, the emergence of divorce perpetuated years to follow, infringing upon social norms promoting controversy. Fortunately, Canada introduced new reforms to minimize economic hardship for single families, such as welfare. Thus, prior to the 1920’s