While American men were called off to fight during World War II in the 1940s, women ventured from their household duties to work in factories. This was just one landmark in women’s history that is recognized and honored during Women’s History Month, celebrated nationally during March.
A Movie and Teachable Moment will recognize those women during World War II in a University event from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. March 6 in the large auditorium, Room 196, of Brooks City-Base Campus.
The movie “Swing Shift” was chosen by Jolene DesRoches, coordinator of counseling and disabilities services, to be shown in celebration of Women’s History Month.
Dr. Amy Porter, assistant professor of history, said DesRoches asked her to speak because she teaches HIST 4360, Women in History, and is knowledgeable about women in World War II.
The event is sponsored by the office of student engagement and success in collaboration with the School of Arts and Sciences. Free popcorn and drinks will be provided.
Porter said she will introduce the film and speak about Rosie the Riveter.
“Rosie the Riveter represented women workers in World War II,” Porter said. “The government used her in an ad campaign to recruit women into factory work.”
Porter said World War II is important in women’s history because so many women were going to work outside of the home.
“They were switching from agricultural work to factory work,” she said, “and they were getting higher wages.”
Porter said factories were in need of replacing open positions as men went out to serve in the war.
She also noted that the United States was coming out of the Great Depression. “Factories were ramping up production at that time,” she said.
The University calendar states that “Swing Shift” is an examination of life on the American home front during WWII.
In the movie, a woman named Kay takes a job on the line at a plant producing war planes after her husband goes off to fight in Europe. One of her co-workers is her best friend Hazel. Kay falls in love with another coworker, Lucky, who couldn’t enlist because of a weak heart. Kay’s husband Jack comes home on leave and finds out that his wife has betrayed him. Lucky then decides to pursue Hazel, driving a wedge between the two best friends.
As this University begins Women’s History Month with a film and teachable moment, others around the nation also recognize women in history this week.
The national celebration dates back to the 1970s when the Education Task Force of the Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women initiated a Women’s History Week celebration.
The celebration was in response to the fact that women’s history was an unknown topic in the K-12 curriculum and in the general public knowledge, according to the National Women’s History Month website.
This year’s national theme is Women’s Education – Women’s Empowerment.
Porter thinks more students are learning about women’s history now, but said “it’s not enough.”
“I think we’re doing a better job, but we still have a ways to go,” she said.
For more information, call the office of student engagement and success at 210-784-6206.
