In October 1960, in the last months of the Eisenhower Administration, the Civil Service Commission announced the establishment of the Federal Woman’s Award for outstanding achievement by women in the Federal career service to be administered by the Board of Trustees, Federal Woman’s Award. The award was announced in the following press release: A pamphlet … Continue reading Recognizing Women in Federal Service, 1961
Category: Women’s History
More than Samoas, Thin Mints, and Tagalongs! Properties about Girl Scouts in the National Register of Historic Places
Girls' Activities - Girl Scouts - Girl Scout Camp at Central Valley. The bugler of the girl scouts camp at Central Valley, New York (National Archives Identifier 31483120) Tomorrow, March 12, is Girl Scout Day, which commemorates the founding of the Girl Scouts of the USA, when Juliette Gordon Low officially registered the organization's first … Continue reading More than Samoas, Thin Mints, and Tagalongs! Properties about Girl Scouts in the National Register of Historic Places
The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion and the Women’s Army Corps (WACs) in World War II
Today’s post is by Rachael Salyer, Subject Matter Expert for Modern Military Records at the National Archives in College Park, MD. Photograph of WAC Officers Inspecting the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, Feb 15, 1945 (NAID 531249, Local ID: 111-SC-200791) In early 1945, the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion became the only Women’s Army Corps … Continue reading The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion and the Women’s Army Corps (WACs) in World War II
Surveillance of a Worker’s Rights Icon: Emma Tenayuca’s FBI File
Today's post was written by Daniel Dancis, Special Access and FOIA Program Archivist at the National Archives at College Park, MD The National Archives’ Special Access and FOIA Program recently made available online the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) case file on Emma Tenayuca (1916-1999) (NAID 16843150 and NAID 16843151). Tenayuca was a labor leader … Continue reading Surveillance of a Worker’s Rights Icon: Emma Tenayuca’s FBI File
Sau Ung Loo Chan, An Advocate for American Citizenship and Immigrant Rights
Today's post is written by Ruth Chan, archivist and Subject Matter Expert for Asian American and Pacific Islander records Special thanks to Holly Rivet, Archives Specialist at the National Archives at St. Louis; Katie Seitz, Archives Specialist at the National Archives in Washington DC; and Victoria Blue, Public Affairs Specialist, for access to the records … Continue reading Sau Ung Loo Chan, An Advocate for American Citizenship and Immigrant Rights
Not “the last Chilkat blanket weaver”: The Story of Annie Klaney and the Indian Arts and Crafts Board
By Rose Buchanan, Archivist and Subject Matter Expert for Native American Related Records “Chilkat Blanket.” This terse subject line is easy to miss in a nearly 100-page file of administrative correspondence from the Indian Arts and Crafts Board (IACB). It headlines a May 17, 1962, letter from Carl W. Heinmiller, director of Alaska Indian Arts, … Continue reading Not “the last Chilkat blanket weaver”: The Story of Annie Klaney and the Indian Arts and Crafts Board
Meet Sgt. Eva Mirabal/Eah Ha Wa (Taos Pueblo); Women’s Army Corps Artist
Today’s post is written by Cody White, Archivist and Subject Matter Expert for Native American Related Records. In honor of both National Native American Heritage Month and Veterans Day, today I want to highlight through our Bureau of Indian Affairs records one of the many Natives who answered our nation’s call in times of war. … Continue reading Meet Sgt. Eva Mirabal/Eah Ha Wa (Taos Pueblo); Women’s Army Corps Artist
An Indigenous Woman’s Legal Fight After Forced Sterilization
Special thanks to Rose Buchanan and Cody White, Subject Matter Experts for Native American Related Records, for their feedback and expertise during the process of writing this post. The following piece along with associated archival records discuss forced sterilization, racist slurs and attitudes, as well as outdated and ableist language. This post will discuss the … Continue reading An Indigenous Woman’s Legal Fight After Forced Sterilization
Mainbocher: Designer of the “Best Dressed Women in the World”
Mainbocher, alongside Cmdr. Aileen Griffin, arriving in Dallas, TX for the 1960 WAVES Reunion (NAID 6328623) It was July 1960 and the city of Dallas, Texas was playing host to thousands of Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Service, who were in town to celebrate the 18th National Reunion of their historic unit. Established in 1942, … Continue reading Mainbocher: Designer of the “Best Dressed Women in the World”
“An Act of Displeasure:” Reaction to the Possibility of a Woman Ambassador, 1951
In April 1950, the United States and Ireland elevated the diplomatic presence in their respective national capitals from a legation (headed by an Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary) to an embassy (headed by an Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary). The last American minister and first American ambassador to Ireland was George A. Garrett, whose tenure covered … Continue reading “An Act of Displeasure:” Reaction to the Possibility of a Woman Ambassador, 1951