Military Women Video

This video depicts the actuality of war experiences these women soldiers face. It is an eye opener for those who do not understand the combat these women experience (although they still are not legally allowed to). Injury and death are not limited to one gender, but instead they are undeniable issues both men and women soldiers face.

Reference

CBS News. (Producer) (n.d.). Women tell stories on frontlines [Web]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dihyLQ3j8RU&feature=player_embedded

War On Terror

War On Terror

With this war being not only the most recent, but also still current today, it is made available that the women fighting in the War in Iraq are granted the most women's rights out of all the wars. With many women soldiers high up in the ranks, it is clear that this is the largest mark of equality the United State's military has ever seen. Female combat is a very debatable subject today, because there are no front lines in Iraq or Afghanistan, and women soldiers are unclear on what is considered "combat". Many state that they do just about everything their fellow male soldiers do. 

One of the most deadliest attacks on U.S women soldiers during this war was when 14 women Marines were injured or killed in a truck driving to their American base. A car approached them packed with explosives, which severely burned the women. It is known that two women died immediately. 

More than ever before, there is an underlying appreciation for military women in the Iraq War. These are women who have families at home awaiting their return, and although this was the case for women soldiers all along, people today recognize their efforts with much more fondness. 

References

Mama Birds a History of Women in The Air Force. (Photographer). (n.d.). Women soldiers. [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.historymj.com/students/old/trotter/modern.htm

Wong, K. (2011, May 30). Women fighting and dying in war, despite preclusion from ground combat. ABC News. Retrieved from http://abcnews.go.com/US/women-fight-iraq-afghanistan-preclusion-ground-combat/story?id=13716419

The Persian Gulf War

The Persian Gulf War

Also known as Operations Desert Shield and Storm, the Persian Gulf War was a remarkably short war. This war had the largest amount of military women in history. Federal law still prohibited women from being in direct combat, but the women from this war still had achieved new frontiers for combat. They were involved in the operation of jets, trucks, etc. 

This war surprised Americans at home, because they didn't know women would be so involved. The New York Times reported that the difference between combat and noncombat was "razor-thin" (para. 4). Although women were in this noncombat zone, unfortunately, it did not prevent some women from being killed. For the female soldiers who did return home, they were reportedly cheered along with the men. 

Congress took a second look at the pre-exsisting combat restrictions for women of war. Sure enough, Congress eventually repealed laws banning women from flying in combat. Following in 1993, was another repeal, allowing women to join in combat aboard ships. 

References

Nordheimer , J. (1991, May 26). Women's role in combat: The war resumes. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/books/97/06/15/reviews/military-gulf.html

Women in Military Service for America Memorial Foundation Inc. (n.d.). Women in us military- persian gulf war . Retrieved from http://chnm.gmu.edu/courses/rr/s01/cw/students/leeann/historyandcollections/collections/photopages/phespersgulf.html

Women in Military Service for America Memorial Foundation. (Photographer). (1991). Duty station in the gulf. [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://chnm.gmu.edu/courses/rr/s01/cw/students/leeann/historyandcollections/collections/photopages/phespersgulf.html

Women in Military Service for America Memorial Foundation. (Photographer). (1991). Helicopter pilot in headquarters . [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://chnm.gmu.edu/courses/rr/s01/cw/students/leeann/historyandcollections/collections/photopages/phespersgulf.htmlHel

Many Firsts

Many Firsts For Woman Soldiers 

Between 1970-1990, many women were granted more privileges in the United State's military. Some major gains for these women included: promotions to brigadier generals, rear admirals, major generals, officers, pilots, and technicians. The ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps.) also opened up for women's enrollment. Lastly, in 1973 the drafted ended, making citizen's involvement in the military solely voluntary. 

According to Women In Military Services For America Memorial, in 1978 the Coast Guard opened all assignments up to women (p. 14). In addition, the Women's Army Corps. or WAC was dissolved, and women were integrated into the regular Army.This was a time when equality really took a forward motion for women in the United States military. 

References

Syracuse University. (Photographer). (n.d.). Rotc. [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://armyrotc.syr.edu/

Women in Military Service For America Memorial Foundation Inc. (n.d.). Highlights in the history of military women. Retrieved from http://www.womensmemorial.org/Education/timeline.html

The Vietnam War

The Vietnam War 

Women experienced for the first time during the Vietnam War some field training, like being taught to fire weapons, work compasses, and march in sync with other soldiers. The nurses for the Vietnam War were required to deal with serious injuries, due to the weapons and bombs involved with this war. According to M. Carlson author of the Vietnam Conflict,  "Approximately 60 percent of the nurses who arrived in Vietnam had had less than two years medical training and of this 60 percent, most had had less than six months" (para. 7). Nothing totally prepared this Army and Navy nurses better than the actual experience of being on the battlefield and in hospitals. 

It is known that women during the Vietnam War were affected by Post Traumatic Stress Disorder just like male soldiers were. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is characterized by a change in personality or anxiety tolerance due to a major event that involved the threat of injury or death. Sadly, these women did not receive help like male soldiers did from the Veterans Administration. They were denied counseling to help relieve their PTS symptoms. 

During the Vietnam War, more specifically the Panama Invasion, the first command for combat was made by a woman named Linda Bray. She directed troops from a distance to invade, which went down in records and made a mark history. The Vietnam Conflict stated that a New York Times/CBS New's Poll showed that 72 percent thought that women should be allowed to be in combat if they desire to. Due to the fact that they could not join in combat, many critics argue that women soldiers were at a greater risk for death and injury, because while they were still stationed close to the battlefields like male soldiers, their lack of combat training increased their chances of getting hurt or potentially killed.

References

Carlson, M. (n.d.). The vietnam conflict: Women and the unknown solider. Retrieved from http://www.deanza.edu/faculty/swensson/bestresearch_womensoldiers.html

Women in Military Service For America Memorial Foundation Inc. (n.d.). Highlights in the history of military women. Retrieved from http://www.womensmemorial.org/Education/timeline.html

(2012). U.s marine corps lav-25 in panama. (2012). [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_invasion_of_Panama

The Korean War

The Korean War

This war is commonly referred to as a "Forgotten War". Americans had just got out of WW2 nearly five years before, and were already facing another war that they were unprepared for. The American Army's military personnel  was low, so many women who served in WW2 were involuntarily called back to serve for the Korean War. The Department of Defense had a nationwide recruiting campaign to make military service seem more appealing. 

Women who were nurses were stationed in Europe, Japan, and Korea (right along the battle lines. A major problem American nurses were faced with was frostbite, due to the first cold winter during the war. The Army actually established a special cold injury center in Japan for these victims. It was during this war that Mobile Army Surgical Hospitals were formed, and they were very successful. Battle wounds were treated much better than what was recorded from WW2.

According to Women In Military Services For America Memorial, the Navy had expanded opportunities for women during the Korean War. During World War Two, Navy women were only permitted to cover territories such as Hawaii and Alaska. In the Korean War though, Navy women were allowed to cover Hawaii, Alaska, France, Italy, England and the Philippines (para. 5). This expansion can be said for every branch of the U.S military. With every war that passed, the roles of women improved. 

Just this year marked the 60th anniversary of the Korean War. Many women veterans were recognized for their services. 

References

Leipold, J. D. (2012, March 14). Women veterans mark 60th anniversary of korean war. Washington Press. Retrieved from http://www.army.mil/article/75736/Women_veterans_mark_60th_anniversary_of_Korean_War/

Naval History and Heritage Command (Photographer). (n.d.). Uss valley forge. [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/events/kowar/kowar.htm

Women in Military Service For America Memorial Foundation Inc. (n.d.). Highlights in the history of military women. Retrieved from http://www.womensmemorial.org/Education/timeline.htm

World War Two

World War Two

When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, women were authorized by congress to serve with the United State's Coast Guard, Army, Marines, and Navy, so they did just that. Around 400,000 women served, 432 died, and 88 were prisoners of war. They helped with every aspect of the war except direct combat. 

The Women's Auxiliary Army Corps. (WAAC) was established in 1942, which changed into Women's Army Corps. (WAC) in 1943. A lady named Oveta Culp Hobby became the first director of WAAC. This group would seek for authorization from the government for women's involvement in the Army. According to the National Women's History Museum, "Hobby told the first WAAC officer candidate class, "You are the first women to serve...Never forget it...you have a debt and a date…A debt to democracy, a date with destiny.” Hobby impacted American history by her services. Also around this time, Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES) was created to recruit women into the Navy, the Marine Corps. Women's Reserve was created to recruit women into the Marines, and the Women's Reserve known as SPARS was created to recruit women into the Coast Guard. All three of these groups had similar goals to that of the WAAC.

Army and Navy nurses continued to grow during WW2. Their numbers rose to around 59,000 for the Army and 11,000 for the Navy.The top left picture depicts a Army Nurse preforming a proper injection. The top right picture is from a 1945 magazine showing that women in the military can be both strong and feminine. The female image had revolved from the what was once a women in a dress standing in the kitchen to a woman with lipstick a hard hat and boots. The National Advertising Council promoting ads like this, because it promoted military involvement and help. The government was attempting to launch a propaganda campaign to actually encourage women to find their place in either the military or industries, corporations, and factories. Rosie the Riveter was a major icon during the propaganda campaign. Rosie the Riveter was first published on The Saturday Evening Post, and she received a lot of attention. She promoted courage, determination, hard work, and beauty. There are many versions of Rosie, but the most popular is shown to the left. 

References

Barewalls. (Photographer). (n.d.). We can do it. [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.barewalls.com/pv-466620_Rosie-The-Riveter--We-Can-Do-It.htm

National Women's History Museum. (Photographer). (2007). The american. [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.nwhm.org/online-exhibits/partners/2.htm

National Women's History Museum. (Producer). (1942).Nurses corps. [Print Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.nwhm.org/online-exhibits/partners/4.htm

Sorensen, A. (2004). Rosie the riveter: Women working during world war two. Retrieved from http://www.nps.gov/pwro/collection/website/rosie.htm

Women in Military Service For America Memorial Foundation Inc. (n.d.). Highlights in the history of military women. Retrieved from http://www.womensmemorial.org/Education/timeline.html

World War One

World War One

World War One was a historically remarkable war. Around 8.9 million men were involved with this war, and stationed in Europe. From this war, 908,000 were killed and 2 million were wounded, creating a great demand for healthcare providers. In result, over 21,000 women worked as Army nurses in military hospitals in the United States and overseas.  In addition, there were almost 1,500 Navy Nurses stationed all over as well. Girls as young as sixteen years old were recruited as nurses. It was reported that more than 400 military nurses were killed in action. The biggest reason for the death of nurses was influenza.

Two major women's groups came about during WW1: the VAD (Voluntary Aid Attachment) and FANY (First Aid Nursing Yeomanry). Both were in great demand for volunteers. The VAD provided services in laundry, cooking, and cleaning. VAD volunteers were not paid, solely because it was a volunteer service. FANY volunteers contributed their time by providing basis health care, including cleaning the rooms of wounded soldiers, driving ambulances and dealing with deceased bodies.

Another well known organization was the Red Cross. The Red Cross had many duties: to recruit male soldiers, knit socks, and of course, work in military hospitals. One thing to note was that these women were not professionals in the healthcare field, but because the demand for help was so high, they were allowed to join this organization with limited experience. The Red Cross is still a prevalent organization today.

Other popular employment opportunities for women during WW1 included: transportation of trams, buses, and trains, plane mechanics, shipyards workers, and ammunition factory workers. Working in ammunition factories were quite dangerous due to the chemicals that could potentially cause explosions. Women with exposed skin in these factories often found that their skin would turn a yellowish color due to a chemical called sulphur.

It was very common to see in the ads or newspapers help wanted for a variety of jobs. Many were actually looking for women employees only, something women had not yet experienced before. Women provided impressive skills during such a huge crisis. An article discussing women of this time period stated, "They are our private soldiers". Without women's involvement in this war, the outcome of the first World War could have been dramatically altered. 

References

Prints and Photographs Online Catalog. (Photographer). (1919). What can you do? join our red cross membership. [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/00651753/

Women in world war one. (2002). Retrieved from    http://www.sachem.edu/schools/seneca/socialstudies/guttman/per5/roleofwomen/link1.htm

University of Washington. (2003). Seattle general strike project. Retrieved from http://depts.washington.edu/labhist/strike/kim.shtml

Zazzle. (Photographer). (n.d.). Knit your bit: American red cross poster. [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.zazzle.com/knit_your_bit_american_red_cross_poster-228856592922057805

The Spanish-American War

The Spanish-American War

The Spanish-American War was particularly short, compared to most wars. The end result was that America gained the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico. Women during this war participated in the U.S Army Nurse Corps., but there are no records of women in the U.S Navy or Marine Corps. The U.S Navy Nurse Corps. was not established until 1909, about a decade after the Spanish-American War. The Army nurses of this war were of primary importance due to the spread of diseases like Yellow Fever, Malaria, and deadly infections.

The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) was created around this time period, which gave women the opportunity to express their patriotic freedom. According to the Women in Military Service For America Memorial Foundation Inc., "A woman named Dr. Anita Newcomb McGee suggested to the Army Surgeon General that the DAR be appointed to select professionally qualified nurses to serve under contract to the U.S Army" (section 5). In result, 1500 nurses were stationed to many hospitals at war sites. It was reported that at least 20 of these women were killed on duty. Eventually, Dr. McGee was promoted as Acting Assistant Surgeon General- the first woman to ever hold this position.

                                       

Not only were women involved with nursing, they were also journalists. Journalism was a very popular career many women had during this time period. In fact, according to the National Women's History Museum, the 1900 census stated that there was 30,098 female journalists (p. 28). Some famous female journalists during the Spanish-American War were Anna Northend Benjamin and Mrs. Trumball White. Both women went to Cuba to cover the news of the war. Mrs. Trumball White, journalist for the Chicago Record, actually signed on as a Red Cross Nurse in order to get an insider scoop first hand in Cuba.

References

National Women's History Museum. (2007). Women report on the american-spanish war. Retrieved from http://www.nwhm.org/online-exhibits/womenwithdeadlines/wwd27.htm

(n.d.). Army nurse corps, nurse needed now. [Print Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.blujay.com/item/WWII-US-ARMY-Nurse-Corps-Nurses-Needed-NOW-1040302-2221407

University of Toledo Army ROTC Nursing. (Photographer). (2010). Retrieved from http://www.toledoarmyrotc.org/about/nursing/

Women in Military Service For America Memorial Foundation Inc. (n.d.). Highlights in the history of military women. Retrieved from http://www.womensmemorial.org/Education/timeline.html

The Civil War

The Civil War

During the Civil War Era, most women were still confined to their domestic lifestyles, however, some were becoming more educated, more demanding of their personal rights as citizens, and more self-sufficient. When men entered the war, many women took on factory jobs to keep a steady income for their families at home. Women pursed education, especially for medical professions, because they were discouraged to go into most other jobs. According to "Women in the Civil War" by Mary Massey, "When the Civil War started, there were many licensed females physicians. Two well-known physicians are Emily Blackwell and Mary Walker" (p. 10). Another well known profession for women was teaching, but even in that profession they were discriminated against because most schools preferred male teachers. Emma Willard protested against this by opening up a women's teaching academy, to train female teachers and to make them so qualified, they would look better than their male competitors.


In addition to the medical field and education, women during the Civil War began to using writing as a way of life that allowed them to express themselves. The author of Uncle Tom's Cabin was a woman named Harriet Beecher Stowe. This book sold over 300,000 copies, was translated into 10 different languages, and influenced a lot of individuals on anti-slavery.One of the only ways a woman could voice her opinion on slavery was through writing.

Northern women started many anti-slavery and women's right crusades. The biggest issues women were fighting for included: property rights, legal-guardian rights over their children, equal wages, and more liberal divorce laws. Many women during this time period also became more involved in politics. The would read the newspapers and even attend speeches related to the election and political discussions. 

Many women, (especially Southern women), felt it was their duty to encourage the men in their family to enlist in the war. Women also made it their duty to collect donations from wealthy businessmen to fund supplies such as food, clothing, and medical equipment that the men needed during war. In addition women ran places for passing war soldiers to stay at called Refreshment Saloons in the North or Wayside Homes in the South. At these lodging places a soldier could receive a meal or medical help. 

Massey notes that this "Cooper Shop Refreshment Saloon dispensed more than 80,000 dollars worth of supplies and 600,000 meals" (p. 36). Making a huge difference to many soldiers.

References

Lai, C. L. (Designer). (2006). Uncle tom's cabin. [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://bookcoverarchive.com/book/the_annotated_uncle_toms_cabin

Massey, M. E. (1994). Women in the civil war. University of      Nebraska Press. Retrieved from http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=iMOXnAboxV4C&oi=fnd&pg=PA3&dq=women in the civil war&ots=g1ntIOd14Y&sig=EJWYa2JbwpwZ7DI7DvPHpdXe32o 

Sheaff, R. D. (Designer). (n.d.). Cooper shop volunteer refreshment saloon and hospital . [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.sheaff-ephemera.com/list/advertising-covers/cooper-shop-volunteer-refre.html

The American Revolution

  The American Revolution

During this time period, women were an essential part of the home. Their primary duties included that of cooking, cleaning, and childbearing/rearing. However, while men were out fighting, women filled voids at home as best as they could. This included farming or maintaining family businesses. In order to avoid bankruptcy, women had to save money as best as they could while the men in their families were away. In addition, some military uniforms and food were provided by women at home spinning clothes and/or harvesting crops. This poem exemplifies what was expected of women during this time period: 

Young ladies in town, and those that live round,
Let a friend at this season advise you:
Since money's so scarce, and times growing worse,
Strange things may soon hap and surprize you;
First then, throw aside your high top knots of pride,
Wear none but your own country linnen,
Of Oeconomy boast, let your pride be the most
To show clothes of your own make and spinning.

What, if homespun they say is not quite so gay
As brocades, yet be not in a passion,
For when once it is known this is much wore in town,
One and all will cry out, 'tis the fashion!
And as one, all agree that you'll not married be
To such as will wear London Fact'ry:
But at first sight refuse, tell em such you do chuse
As encourage our own Manufact'ry

No more Ribbons wear, nor in rich dress appear,
Love your country much better than fine things,
Begin without passion, twill soon be the fashion
To grace your smooth locks with a twine string,
Throw aside your Bohea, and your green Hyson tea,
And all things with a new fashion duty;
Procure a good store of the choice Labradore,
For there'll soon be enough here to suit ye;

These do without fear and to all you'll appear
Fair, charming, true, lovely and cleaver;
Tho' the times remain darkish, young men may be sparkish
And love you much stronger than ever.

– "Young Ladies in Town," Boston Newsletter (1769

As far as the war was concerned, "Women worked as nurses, spies, army cooks, and occasionally even soldiers" (p. 3). However, these women soldiers were not allowed to be considered soldiers, but rather "camp followers". As camp followers, these women were still given a small wage for their work, but were still exposed to harsh conditions. Other women who were not overly feminine in appearance, snuck into the ranks and were thought to be true male soldiers. One of the most well known individuals for this was Deborah Samson. 

Deborah was enlisted by Capt. Ephalet Thorp on May 20, 1782. She fought multiple battles during this time until she caught a fever. After being checked by a physician, Sampson's identity was revealed, causing her to be discharged from the Army. There were several other women like Deborah who snuck into the ranks, but because they used fictitious names, it is harder to identify their mark on history. 

References:

Courtney, G. (1999). Women in the american revolution. Retrieved from http://www2.lhric.org/spbattle/wohist.html

Independence Hall Association. (2008). The revolution on the home front. Retrieved from http://www.ushistory.org/us/11e.asp

Jeffery, V. Retrieving the american past. Boston: Pearson Learning Solution. 

National Women's History Museum. (n.d.). Deborah samson. [Print Photo]. Retrieved from http:www.nwhm.org/education-resources/biography/biographies/deborah-sampson/