As part of Women's History Month, Army Logistics is honoring the contributions of women like the 85,000 Women Ordnance Workers who helped improve logistics for Soldiers on the battlefield.
During World War II, Rosie the Riveter represented the new possibilities for women to support the war effort and pursue jobs outside the home. In factories, young women filled the traditional male jobs left vacant when the men went off to fight. The jobs included producing rockets, bombs, cannons, rifles, guns, bullets, tanks, boats, planes, and trucks.
The women workers became known as Women Ordnance Workers (WOW). They operated heavy cranes, milling machines, and countless other heavy tools that most women had never worked on before the war. In total, 85,000 women worked directly for the Ordnance Department. They wore WOW bandannas, designed in accordance with U.S. Army specification, to be easily identified.
In total, the Rosie the Riveter movement helped push the number of working women to 20 million during the four years of World War II. To help on the home front, many of the new workers pooled their efforts in raising their families. They formed into groups, and shared housing and chores.
In this historic year, when women are able to enter combat roles, you can learn more about the great work they are doing at: http://www.armyg1.army.mil/hr/wita/
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