Episode 39: Women on the Home Front

From 1939 to 1945, World War II threw many nations into action. When we think of this time period, we tend to focus on the stories of intense battle and the men who served time overseas. However, history often overlooks the many women on the home front who did much more than “keep the home fires burning.” On this episode of Amplified Oklahoma, we look at interviews from the OOHRP archives to learn more about the ways women worked outside of the home to support the war effort. Dorothy Fletcher, one of the first women to work in the field of radio development and Morse Code, and Jean Wilhelm, a member of the WAVES, discuss their experiences as women in the workforce and military during World War II. Later, we talk with Dr. Holly Karibo and Dr. Laura Arata, professors of history here at OSU, to learn more about women and their many responsibilities during the war.