5 unsung female heroes from World War II

World War II was one of the most defining and destructive conflicts in history, reshaping the political landscape and altering the lives of millions. The war called for unprecedented mobilization of people and resources which forced men and women into roles that would change the course of nations. While men dominated the frontlines, women too had to step up to important roles, and played their part in the war. Not just as nurses, women defied societal norms, and played crucial roles in the war. Let us look at the story of 5 women who have been unsung, but they played important roles in WWII.

When Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941, Oveta Culp was working in the Women’s Interest Section of the War Department’s Bureau of Public Relations. However, soon she saw herself working as the director of the Women's Army Corps, traveling nationwide to encourage women to enlist. She remained the director of the WAC throughout the war. After WWII ended, she became the second female cabinet member in U.S. history, in President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s administration.

Image Credit: Instagram/@oveta_culp

Today, Mary Sears is famously known as a “mother of oceanography" for her work during the war. A highly educated Sears, had three degrees from Radcliffe (now part of Harvard). During the war, she served in the Naval department’s now-defunct Hydrographic Office. Her expertise lay in mapping the Pacific Ocean and advising admirals on where to land their ships. She played a crucial role in studying the water resource and helped guide the army how to maneuver best in foreign waters. Mary was monumental in establishing the First International Congress on Oceanography, held at the United Nations in New York in 1959.

Image Credit: Instagram/@oceanicas_ieo

Charity Adams Earley was the first Black officer in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) and even led the first predominantly Black WAC unit to serve overseas. She commanded the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, which delivered mail to more than seven million soldiers in Europe.

Susan Ahn Cuddy was an Asian American woman who served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Susan was a trailblazing woman, who became a first in many fields. She was the first Asian American woman to serve in the Navy, the first female gunnery officer in the U.S. armed forces, and the first Asian American woman to work in naval intelligence. In the war, Susan trained soldiers in combat air tactics and the use of the .50 caliber machine gun. Image Credit: Instagram/@usnavalairforces

Jacqueline Cochran founded the Women's Airforce Service Pilots (WASP), a civilian organization that trained women to fly transports. It reportedly flew about 60 million miles during World War II, but was not considered an active military. In 1941, Cochran became the first woman to fly a bomber overseas, and also trained female pilots for the British Air Transport Auxiliary.

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