Home Front Friday: Women’s Stories

Home Front Friday is a regular series that highlights the can do spirit on the Home Front during World War II and illustrates how that spirit is still alive today!

In honor of Women’s History Month and our current special exhibit Manufacturing Victory: The Arsenal of Democracy, on Saturday March 28, in partnership with Tulane University’s Newcomb College Institute, we gathered to hear stories of the women who were integral to America’s success in World War II.  We encouraged any women workers of the WWII-era to share their stories of working on the Home Front and helping lead America to victory, either as a riveter, a welder, or even a master canner. The women workers of World War II were encouraged to bring war mementos and speak about their experiences during the event.

Newcomb alumnae Mryl Cambias, Jeanne Bruno, and Alice Manson joined us in a conversation about their experiences as college students and college graduates during the WWII-era moderated by the Museum’s Assistant Director of Education for Public Programs and Newcomb alum Lauren Handley.

Jeanne Bruno, Mryl Cambias and Alice Manson

Surely there is a women in your life with a story to share.  Keep the spirit alive today by talking to your mothers, grandmothers and neighbors and asking them about their experiences in the past, and how ordinary people each live individual extraordinary lives.  For extra credit, have these women introduce you to other women that have impacted their lives.

Posted by Lauren Handley, Assistant Director of Education for Public Programs at The National World War II Museum