Women Who Drove, Flew, and Built During WWII

The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History is hosting a new show called WAVES, WACs and WASPs: Women in World War II, 1942–1945. Curator James Stemm says the exhibit looks at how the military first brought women into service and how millions of them worked in factories and other war jobs. The display covers many branches, from the Army to the Navy and the Air Force, and even touches on women’s roles in the nuclear effort.

WAC stands for Women’s Army Corps, WAVES means Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service, and WASP refers to Women’s Airforce Service Pilots. These groups performed a wide range of tasks. Some ferried planes from factories to bases, others tested aircraft, and many towed targets for gunners. Over four million women were employed in war‑time factories, and they were trained just like the men. In many cases the best‑trained women became instructors rather than combat troops.

The gallery holds about 100 artifacts and many photographs. Vintage uniforms worn overseas are on view, as is a picture of Bernice Frankel, later known as actress Bea Arthur. She joined the Marine Corps Women’s Reserve early on and rose to staff sergeant. The exhibit also shows nurses who worked near the front lines; twenty of them died in enemy actions, all while caring for soldiers. Their images highlight the harsh conditions they faced.

Women also contributed to the Manhattan Project. At Los Alamos, Oak Ridge and Hanford they served as WACs or civilians, helping to develop the atomic bomb. The curator tried to include stories from New Mexico, featuring local women who served. The show will stay open until October 18, giving visitors a chance to learn about these often‑overlooked pioneers.