[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 48 (Monday, March 23, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E386]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             WOMEN IN WWII

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 23, 2015

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, they were tenacious, they were 
selfless and they were humble. They were the 350,000 women of the 
greatest generation who served in the U.S. Armed Forces. For many years 
their altruistic efforts went without recognition. However, these women 
were the sustaining fuel and energy in helping the U.S. victory during 
the great WWII. Not only were they the backbone of the nation, they 
were the backbones of their families. These women represent the word 
patriot to its fullest extent. Women joined the war effort in two 
distinct and important ways:
  Some supported America at home in factories, machine shops and 
businesses while taking care of their families. Others joined the 
military and fought the war in uniform.
  WWII not only changed American history but changed American society.
  With over 16 million fighting overseas, typical male roles were left 
open, creating enormous needs throughout the nation. At the request of 
First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, women stepped right in to assume their 
position in the workforce. The traditional home was forever altered 
with more women joining the workforce.
  America was captivated by the new personas of women. Rosie the 
Riveter served as a constant reminder that women can absolutely do it 
too. Women were the concrete foundation in what was a man's world. 
Women were not only wives and mothers; they were the workforce for the 
``Arsenal of Democracy''. They were truck drivers, air plane mechanics, 
lab technicians, radio operators, meteorologists, translators, and 
photograph analyzers.
  Mr. Speaker, on a personal note, when my mother, Dorrace Hill, was a 
teenager she was one of the home front warriors who answered the call. 
She went to school during the day, and worked 40 hours a week as a 
receptionist at the Kyle Hotel in Temple, Texas.
  But she spent a great deal of time as a Red Cross Volunteer and later 
an employee at McCloskey Army Hospital--later a VA Hospital--caring for 
wounded GIs. (After Germany surrendered in 1945 my Army Dad, TSGT 
Virgil Poe, was sent from Europe to nearby Ft Hood TEXAS to be 
reequipped for the invasion of Japan when WWII ended. He later met and 
married my mother in Temple, Texas. Now they live in Houston, Texas.)
  Other women began serving in America's Armed Forces. These volunteers 
became members of the U.S. Army, and Navy. As nurses they tended sick 
and wounded throughout the U.S. and the world. They took care of 
American warriors worldwide. Texas pioneered these efforts for female 
warriors.
  Texas was home to the Women Air Force Service Pilots (WASP). These 
women were the first women in history to fly America's military 
aircrafts. Texas is the only state where these women completed WASP 
flight training. Sweetwater, Texas became home to Avenger Field--the 
only base in history to train exclusively women to fly military 
aircraft. These women flew all types of military aircraft that would 
later be used by male pilots in combat. Women would also serve in the 
U.S. Navy as WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service).
  These would be both in the enlisted and officer ranks. One of the 
most influential women during the 1940's was Oveta Culp Hobby. It 
should be no surprise that she was a Texan. Of course!
  Oveta was the first director of the Women's Army Corps (WAC) the 
women's branch of the U.S. Army. Oveta paved the way for women 
warriors, recognizing that women too could serve their country. She 
went on to become the first secretary of the Department of Health, 
Education and Welfare under President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
  From Rosie the Riveter, to my mother, to Oveta Hobby and the 
thousands more women who served in the home land and foreign lands, 
they were that remarkable breed of Americans who deserve our utmost 
thanks. They were the very heart behind the cause.
  They became role models for future generations. General George S. 
Patton once remarked that we should thank God that such men as our 
warriors lived; we should too praise God that such remarkable women 
lived.
  And that's just the way it is.

                          ____________________