Millions of Women Join the War Effort

Front:
WOMEN IN THE WAR; "ROSIE THE RIVETER" TANAPOLIS 29 17 1992 46206 Millions of women join war effort, 1942 Chis lalle

Back:
MILLIONS OF WOMEN JOIN THE WAR EFFORT First Day of Issue: August 17, 1992 First Issue Location: Indianapolis, Indiana With the nation's sudden entry into the war, women were determined to contribute to the war effort. For many, that contribution included a startling transformation from “Susie Homemaker” to “G.I. Joan." In May of 1942, approximately 13,000 women answered a nation-wide recruitment call, and more than 700 women comprised the first group of volunteers to train at Fort Des Moines, lowa, for the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps, later the Women's Army Corps (WAC). Like their male counter- parts, the women in basic training drilled, ran obstacle courses, pulled KP and received an endless assortment of painful inoculations. Working as nurses, mechanics, cargo pilots and aerial surveyors, they freed able-bodied men for front-line service overseas. But many American women served Uncle Sam just as fervently without don- ning a uniform. They entered the work force en masse, laboring primarily in war plants to keep the military machines rolling. By 1943, women made up more than 30 percent of the work force. No. 92-108 First Day of Issue Postcard Collection" ©1992 Fleetwood® Cheyenne, WY 82008-0001 Original painting for the First Day of Issue Postcard by Chris Calle Teetwood