African American Women during WWII

Last night as snow was pummeling the Northeast, Honey and I sat down to watch "Red Tails". If you haven't seen it, "Red Tails" is a movie about the the Tuskegee Airmen. The Tuskegee Airmen were the first all black airmen of the military. They were part of what was called "The Tuskegee Experiment" which took african american men and trained them to be pilots, navigators, bombers, maintence and support staff and all the other personnel that were required to keep planes in the air.

The Tuskegee Airmen overcame segregation and became one of the most respected fighter groups of World War II. They proved that African Americans were intellegent enough and brave enough to serve alongside their white counterparts.

While "Red Tails" is a really good movie, there are hardly any women in it. The one woman that is in movie is   a (beautiful) Italian woman who is the love interest of one of the airmen. This got me thinking... While searching for things 1940s related on a daily basis I hardly ever come up with any images of African American women during WWII. Its a well known fact that women in general played a vital role in the war effort, both on the homefront and overseas. I just hardly ever see any photos or stories of black women in the same roles.

So in honor of black history month I leave you with images of brown skinned "Rosie the Riveters" and service women!!!  All of the women here have broken barriers and served their country even when most (but not all) of the country felt that they weren't worthy to do so. I take my hat off to these ladies, and all of the women who have served and are currently serving our country in one way or another.

A black woman and a white woman work side by side in a production plant

The first Black American WAC (Women's Army Corps) go to overseas

Female shipyard worker 

Ladies selling war bonds

Alyce Dixon, (right) talks to her superior officer while serving in the 6888th Battalion, the first all women, all black battalion in WWII

Navy nurses receive their oath. Phyllis Mae Dailey (second to right) is the Navy's first African American nurse

African American women and Caucasian women take a break at a shipyard in 1942

xoxo