Timeline: Women and WWII

Oct 8, 1941

Night Witches

Night witches were a group of women that flew aircrafts and taunted Nazi soldiers. They didn’t like Nazi soldiers, and their goal was to make them feel scared by flying their aircrafts day and night for hours. They held raids and bomb the German Nazi soldiers to make it known that they don’t like to follow the rules. The Night Witches used tactics that made Nazi soldiers fear for their life and give up control during WWII. Night Witches are known for their dedication to the war.

May 15, 1942

Start of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps

The Women's Army Auxiliary Corps, commonly referred to as WAAC gave women the chance to serve in the Army with a wide range of roles from clerks to sorting and sending mail to families. This event was signed into effect on May 15, 1942 after noticing that individuals in combat were tired and needed help. WAAC was important because it allowed women to serve our country and fight for change. This event was the precursor to another major event known as the Women's Army Corps.

Jul 30, 1942

Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service

Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES) was a program in which women could work in the Navy and serve in a variety of positions from clerks to medical personnel.100,000 women served and wanted to make a difference despite negative reactions from others. Many individuals were not as supportive of Waves because they thought that women could not handle the pressure that came with the job. WAVES allowed women to have a voice in the Navy and rise up against injustice.

Jul 30, 1942

WAVES Interview

Please watch this short video of Julia Parsons, an individual who worked as a WAVE. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_Fn2LeuAGk

Jul 1, 1943

Women's Army Corps

This event is tied to the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC). This event was first known as the WAAC but changed names after allowing women to have access to military resources and responsibilities. Just like the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps, the Women’s Army Corp (WAC) gave women the chance to serve in positions that were safe and easy. Women were often told to quit and go home because they were wasting time. A year later in 1944, they became the first women to deliver mail to families.

Jul 1, 1943

WAC Recruitment Video

Please watch this recruitment video on how individuals got women to join WAC! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mW5ZYJs5lk0

Aug 5, 1943

Women Airforce Service Pilots

Women's Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) was program that allowed women to fly aircrafts. According to the article, Women Airforce Service Pilots, it states "More than 25,000 women applied to serve in WASP (Ray)." Women were trained to fly many different aircrafts and were extremely good at it. Women in WASP often faced harassment from men who thought that they were not good enough to do the job. Women loved flying aircrafts because it allowed them to be in control and help during WWII.