During World War II nearly 350,000 American women served in the US Armed Forces. These women shattered society’s expectations of what was acceptable and proved what was possible. Their service not only helped the Allied powers win the war but also helped American women gain expanded roles and rights in the military and in society. The Museum created this classroom guide to help teachers share the many and varied stories of women in uniform highlighted in the Our War Too: Women in Service special exhibition. Developed in collaboration with current classroom teachers, the lessons and activities in this guide cover topics such as the diverse range of jobs women held in the military, the challenges women faced in serving their nation, and the enduring legacy of women’s WWII service.
How to Use this Guide
The lesson plans and accompanying materials are meant to be standalone lessons. We understand most teachers will not have time during the school year to facilitate each of the lesson plans included in this guide. Please review the guidelines below to help determine which of the lesson plans in this guide most appropriately meet the needs of your students and your teaching goals:
WWII veteran Romay Davis describes her experiences as a member of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion and her life after the war ended.
WWII veteran Ora Pierce Hicks describes deciding to join the Army Nurse Corps, the challenges of serving in a segregated military, and treating German prisoners of war.
WWII veteran Lavenia Breaux describes serving in the Women's Army Corps as a Black woman. After arriving at her barracks for basic training in Illinois, the white women staying with Lavenia's unit attempted to segregate the barracks with sheets and blankets. The Black women in the barracks protested this separation.
Forging Freedom: The Enduring Legacy of Women in World War II
In this lesson, students will analyze primary sources from the 1940s through the 1990s and participate in a group activity to explore the extent to which women's wartime experiences helped to redefine the roles and rights of women in American society.
Decoding the History of Female Codebreakers
Women codebreakers were instrumental in cracking codes that provided critical intelligence information in both the European and Pacific theaters. Sworn to secrecy, the story of these women was not told for 50 years. In this lesson, students will read primary and secondary sources, answer questions, and decipher codes to learn more about these heroic women.
Women of the Manhattan Project
In this lesson, students will learn more about the role Women’s Army Corps servicemembers played in the Manhattan Project from a range of different sources including a video and an essay.
Walking in Her Shoes: Black Women’s Experiences during World War II
In this lesson, students will examine and analyze a range of primary sources to learn about Black women’s experiences serving in a segregated military.
What’s In Your Footlocker?: Understanding Women’s Service in World War II
By examining a series of artifacts, students will learn more about the items needed for women’s military duties, as well as the personal mementos that kept their spirits going during the war.
