One of the Hello Girls said, “we had served in a war zone under military orders… and we had been constantly reminded of our duties and responsibilities as Army Women” (“The Hello Girls”). Sadly, by the time these women got their benefits in 1979, less than 20 of them were still alive. During the last two years of war, nursing became an official role in the military (The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation). Nearly 33,000 served as either nurses or support staff and 400 of them died in the line of duty (The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation). As previously mentioned, the Army Nurse Corps was established in 1901 allowing only women to be involved as nurses (Kuhn). Because of this, the Army Nurse Corps lost many willing nurses to help the war effort
…show more content…
The women in the WAC were stopped and told many rude things by people they did not even know such as: “you took my son’s, husband’s or brother’s place” or “why can’t these gals stay at home and be their own sweet little self, instead of being patriotic?” (Kuhn). Another program made for women was the Women’s Reserve of the Navy: Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Services (WAVES) (Kuhn). In the WAVES, women helped handle the Navy’s mail, communication system, and various training tracks. This allowed women closer access to the Navy and being involved in war efforts (Kuhn). Next, women joined the Marine Corps Women Reserves (MR) (Kuhn). Over 23,000 women joined the MR to be a part of the Marines (Kuhn). Some of their responsibilities were operating radios, being clerks, helping the mechanics and chemists (Kuhn). The Semper Paratus Always Ready (SPAR’s) allowed women to join the Coast Guard (Kuhn). SPAR’s were parachute riggers, radio technicians, store keepers, bakers, and radar operators (Kuhn). Finally, women could join the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots (WASP’s) to help the Airforce fly planes for non combative jobs. As well as flying …show more content…
Before then, a woman named Sally Hocutt joined the Army Nurse Corps through the Red Cross (Kuhn). During her term, Hocutt was yelled at by an army man forgoing by her middle name instead of her full name (Kuhn). At the time, only generals could refer to themselves by their middle name (Kuhn). Hocutt’s dilemma shows that even though women could join the military and have the same jobs as men, there still was not equality within the forces (Kuhn). Since Hocutt was a nurse, she may have been referred to as an “Angel of Mercy” (Kuhn). Nurses during WWII were often called Angels of Mercy since they brought courage and cheer to some of the darkest places of war.(Kuhn). Often, the men appreciated their company and help since they were their only form of encouragement throughout the war (Kuhn). Nurses were in just as much danger as the men, since many could easily be wounded, taken prisoner, or even killed (Kuhn). In fact, more than 200 army nurses had been killed during the war (Kuhn). At the end of the war while everyone returned home, many women from the Army Medical Corps had to stay and help stop the spread of of diseases (Kuhn).
The women in the WAC were stopped and told many rude things by people they did not even know such as: “you took my son’s, husband’s or brother’s place” or “why can’t these gals stay at home and be their own sweet little self, instead of being patriotic?” (Kuhn). Another program made for women was the Women’s Reserve of the Navy: Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Services (WAVES) (Kuhn). In the WAVES, women helped handle the Navy’s mail, communication system, and various training tracks. This allowed women closer access to the Navy and being involved in war efforts (Kuhn). Next, women joined the Marine Corps Women Reserves (MR) (Kuhn). Over 23,000 women joined the MR to be a part of the Marines (Kuhn). Some of their responsibilities were operating radios, being clerks, helping the mechanics and chemists (Kuhn). The Semper Paratus Always Ready (SPAR’s) allowed women to join the Coast Guard (Kuhn). SPAR’s were parachute riggers, radio technicians, store keepers, bakers, and radar operators (Kuhn). Finally, women could join the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots (WASP’s) to help the Airforce fly planes for non combative jobs. As well as flying …show more content…
Before then, a woman named Sally Hocutt joined the Army Nurse Corps through the Red Cross (Kuhn). During her term, Hocutt was yelled at by an army man forgoing by her middle name instead of her full name (Kuhn). At the time, only generals could refer to themselves by their middle name (Kuhn). Hocutt’s dilemma shows that even though women could join the military and have the same jobs as men, there still was not equality within the forces (Kuhn). Since Hocutt was a nurse, she may have been referred to as an “Angel of Mercy” (Kuhn). Nurses during WWII were often called Angels of Mercy since they brought courage and cheer to some of the darkest places of war.(Kuhn). Often, the men appreciated their company and help since they were their only form of encouragement throughout the war (Kuhn). Nurses were in just as much danger as the men, since many could easily be wounded, taken prisoner, or even killed (Kuhn). In fact, more than 200 army nurses had been killed during the war (Kuhn). At the end of the war while everyone returned home, many women from the Army Medical Corps had to stay and help stop the spread of of diseases (Kuhn).