Wartime Women: Army Women's Roles in Conflict Since 1942

We’ve all heard of WW II"s “Rosie the Riveter” or maybe even “Wendy the Welder,” but how much do we really know about the role that military women have played during U.S. wartimes? Beginning in 1942, more than 150,000 women enlisted in the Women's Army Corps (WAC); however, their roles were limited. They served in supportive positions such as telephone operators, mechanics, nurses, and postal clerks. But as time went on, many military-minded women wanted a greater involvement in the Army. When and why did more careers open to these female soldiers? In what ways has having women in the U.S. Army during conflicts such as Vietnam, the Gulf, and Afghanistan impacted the results? Through the use of TWU's WAC sources, the U.S. Army's published records, and academic articles, we will be able to take a deeper look into the history of women’s post-1942 involvement in the U.S. Army.