After Pearl Harbor our government realized that it was essential that the women be under military control so they could be assigned where needed. The Army led the way when Congress created the Women s Army Auxiliary Corps on May 14, 1942. However, the corps was created as an auxiliary unit, so the women were limited to service with the Army instead of in the Army. In the fall, the Navy and Marines authorized their women full military status, but as members of the reserve component. The Greek Goddess of War Pallas Athene was selected to represent the Army s women.
Many news articles trivialize the women's contribution to the war.
Off-color jokes and cartoons demeaned their competency and attacked their morals but official investigations revealed that the character, proficiency and dedication of the women was not only equal, but also superior that of the men. Forty percent of the women grew up on a farm or came from small towns where the employment choices were limited. Ten percent were African-American. Many women erroneously believed that they would be eligible for the GI Bill, housing and education grants after the war. Sixty-six women were taken prisoner by Japanese forces and survived the ordeal of a concentration camp for four years.