4th-6th Grade WASP Education
WWII Era Biplane
In 1943 many men crossed the Atlantic Ocean to fight in Europe and parts of Asia during World War II. While the men were gone, the United States had a hard time producing people to fly airplanes around the country.
Jacqueline Cochran
A lady named Jackie Cochran had a solution to this problem. She said, “Let women fly the planes!” Now, during that period, although women could vote, most men did not let women govern themselves. It was believed that women should remain at home since they were not thought to be strong or built to handle the cruel weight of war.
Young Jacqueline Cochran
Nancy Harkness Love
Nancy Harkness Love and Gen. "Hap" Arnold
Jackie decided to change their opinions. She put a company of women together called the Women Air Force Service Pilots or WASP for short.
Jackie had help from General Hap Arnold and Nancy Love.
The three of them gathered women who already knew how to fly and instructed them on how to fly planes to bases all over the United States.
Gen. "Hap" Arnold
What it takes to be a WASP
On top of already having 200 hours of flying time, the women had to meet special requirements to even become a WASP. They needed to be an American citizen. Their age had to be between 21 and 35 years old. Their height also needed to measure at least 60” inches tall and complete 400 hours of ground school. By creating the WASP, this initial display of patriotism helped during the war because it allowed more men to travel overseas to fight for peace in other countries.
WASP in Training
Avenger Field in Sweetwater, TX
Avenger Field- Sweetwater, TX
At Avenger Field in Sweetwater, TX, one thousand seventy-four women graduated from the WASP program. They were in classes for about 6 months. In their classes, they learned several different subjects. They had to learn math skills beyond just subtraction, physics, maps, charts, navigation, weather, communication, first aid, and everything else that would help them fly the planes across the United States.
It's All in the Looks!
They also had to learn how to keep a carefully made appearance. Jackie had a vision for her girls. She wanted them to look amazing when they got out of their planes. So, from head to toe, the WASP had to make sure their hair did not appear messy, their clothes looked clean, and their lips had lipstick on them.
WASP Posing on Wing of Plane
Boeing B-29
The Widow Maker
Another way the WASP represented patriotism during the war was by helping to train men on an airplane called the B-29. This airplane was rough and tough, and if you didn’t know how to fly it, it could catch on fire and crash. Most of the men were too afraid to fly the B-29. They nicknamed it the Widow Maker.
Dora Dougherty and DeeDee Moorman
Two women stepped up to help and to show bravery when their country needed them. Their names were Dora Dougherty and Dorthea “DiDi” Moorman. In 1944, they learned how to fly the B- 29 in only 3 days! The two women flew the planes from Alabama to New Mexico to train the male pilots how to safely fly the plane and what to do if it caught fire. They also worked to persuade the men that if a woman could fly it, so could a man.
Dora Dougherty, Col. Paul Tibbets, and DiDi Moorman
WASP Graduation
End of the WASP Program
Sadly, in December of 1944, when men started to return, the final WASP class graduated from Avenger Field and, the WASP program ended. So, the men could have their jobs back, all the women were told to go home.
After the War
Most of them stayed home to take care of children, others went back to the jobs that women usually did, and a small fraction continued flying their own personal planes or for the military. The WASP records were sealed, and evidence of their service suddenly disappeared. The world forgot the WASP existed.
Eleanor Brown Collection
Letter from Eleanor Brown to President Carter
Their Right to Write
In 1977, several WASP wrote to President Carter to have their voices heard and to argue for their rights as women and veterans.
They were not happy that they had been left out of history and given no veteran benefits or status.
We Remember!
After a length of time, our country finally began to remember the WASP again. The women received veteran status, and their story was no longer kept a secret. Because wonderful women like Jackie, Nancy, Dora, DiDi, and the other WASP showed patriotism during World War 2, the United States was able to help other countries win their freedoms, and years later women were allowed to join the air force.
Helen Snapp with Female Air Force Pilot
Helen Snapp Collection
Of Heart and Equality
The WASP fought for more than their country. They fought for justice and equality, and they proved that women can fly, work, and be brave as well as anyone else can. Instead of deserting their nation in a time of need or choosing to remain invisible, the WASP joined the cause and became a symbol of heart and equality.