(Fig. 1)-This image, commissioned in 1997, shows five different women to represent each of the five branches in which they were integrated; Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard (USPS Stamp of Approval)

Introduction 

The Cold War (1945-1991) was a time of great tension between the United States (US) and the Soviet Union (USSR). The US capitalists feared the spread of communism from Soviet states to the world and created nuclear bombs in order to contain it.  The USSR feared the US because of these bombs and the US feared the USSR because of communism. During this heated time many changes occurred. Despite common misconception, many women during the 1950's challenged the the idea that women belong only in the domestic sphere through their involvement in civil defense.

The Cold War was a crucial time period for the evolving roles of women in all facets of society. At the start of the Cold War, many social groups such as blacks and students had begun to demand social change so it was not a surprise that women also wanted to as well. The problem women faced was that they were surrounded with the expectation and standard to be a domestic woman. American culture and propaganda set an ideal role for women to get married, have children, and then take care of her family. In the early 20th century, the military was largely dominated by men, being only 2% women. At the commencement of the "space race" in 1957, the United States demanded more workers- including women. This began the evolution of women's involvement in the workforce. The passage of legislation such as the WAC, The DACOWITS, and the FCDA all contributed to the advancement of women's involvement in civil defense.

Laws and Other Legislation That Impacted Women's Roles

Timeline:

 Before this timeline begins women were known to serve as nurses, cooks, and care takers. They did domestic chores and took care of the family and were expected to raise their children to be good citizens. This idea is known as the republican motherhood. Around the time of the Civil War (1861-1865) women disguised themselves as men and fought in battle; already beginning to prove that they are just as capable as men to serve in combat. At the beginning of the 1900’s leading up to World War I, the Army and Navy Nurse Corps were established. This brings us to 1920.

1920- Army Reorganization Act (1920)- grants military nurses officer statuses

1942- Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC)- (converted to WAC)

1943- Women's Army Corps (WAC)- allowed women to gain a role in the army through training and knowledge

1945- Cold War begins

1948- The Women's Armed Services Integration Act- women given permanent status in all regular and reserve forces but restricted to a 2% cap on the number of women allowed to serve in each branch

1950- The Federal Civil Defense Agency (FCDA)- President Harry Truman's national program for national security against foreign enemies.

1951- The Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services (DACOWITS)- help pick women to recruit during the Korean War

1973- The end of draft and the establishment of the All Volunteer Force opens the door for expanding service women's roles and numbers. 2% restriction and other legal provisions repealed.

1990-91-  End Cold War. Some 40,000 American military women are deployed during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. (women in combat)

2008- For the first time in US military history, a woman is promoted to the rank of four-star general. She is promoted by the US Army.

Creation of the Women's Army Corps

      WAAC- The Women's Army Auxiliary Corps or the WAAC was created in 1942 to provide women with more opportunities to gain a more integral part in the national war effort . The WAAC attempted to do this through giving women training and knowledge, finally giving women a chance at being a part of the military. Once signed into law by President Roosevelt, Oveta Culp Hobby was selected to become the director of the WAAC. She was because encapsulated the expectation for women who served in the military to remain "ladies".  Training centers started setting up around the country, the first set up at Fort Des Moines, Iowa. These centers offered applications to women who met a certain minimum height and weight requirement and were between the ages of 21 and 45. The Fort Des Moines training center received over 35,000 applications for only 1,000 possible positions. Due to their grand success, many other training centers followed suit.  The women who signed up to be a part of the WAAC offered a significant contribution because they filled the noncombatant jobs, allowing the men to be "freed" to go off to battle. Later on, women were trained to be radio operators, telegraph operators, cryptographers, and nurses. Even though the WAAC did provide women with better opportunities, they still had limited opportunities because they could not command men and they did not receive equal pay. Although established with good intentions, the WAAC also failed to provide women with necessary benefits such as life insurance and medical coverage which were normally provided to men. The WAAC was not well received by all, mainly from civilian workers who feared their jobs would be replaced by these women. Rumors were spread and the women in the WAAC were humiliated.

(Fig. 2)- A woman is able to repair a rifle due to her training with the WAAC (The Women's Army Corps)

     WAC- In 1943, the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps was replaced by the Women's Army Corps or the WAC. The WAC was different from the WAAC because it became a part of the army rather than serving along with it. Also, the WAC offered women privileges not previously offered before. In early 1946, the Army made the largest stride when it established the WAC as a permanent part of the army. Unfortunately, it was not until 1978 that separate corps were finally abolished and women were fully integrated into all branches but combat. It was not until 2013 that a 1994 ban was lifted, allowing women to have a role in combat. The WAC was instrumental in altering the role of women in society by aiding in the national war effort. Their participation proved men wrong in their doubts that women were unable to handle such responsibilities. Once again, women showed they were more than capable at their jobs and they would never go back.

Korean War

     In the 1950’s, at the start of the Korean War, many women were discouraged to join the armed forces. Society idealized a domestic woman, one who stayed at home and raised a family. Only single women could hold a job but the jobs were bleak and low paying.  A breakthrough came in 1948 when President Truman signed the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act which gave women a permanent place in the army, navy, air force, and Marine Corps. The Korean War also left the United States in a flurry, desperately trying to gain recruits. The number of people from the draft did not suffice. Women were needed but they were offered unnecessary training such as makeup and etiquette. By the end of the Korean War, family-unfriendly policies and society’s attitudes triumphed in contributing to a lack of faith in women’s value to the military.