Rosie the Riveter was not the only woman breaking societal molds during World War II. Ohio resident Betty Stagg Turner and her fellow WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots) played a crucial role in the war effort at home. Though they did not fly in combat missions, they served as test pilots and performed other important services, freeing male pilots for combat missions. Unfortunately, they were abruptly deactivated in 1944 and have received little to no recognition for their services. Wings Across America is working to change that, posting obituaries of WASP veterans and information about the WASP program to ensure these women are not forgotten.
Below is a video interview from Wings Across America. Thankfully, many of the veterans have been interviewed, but unfortunately limited resources and womanpower have prevented all of them from being posted.
Station Project Members:
Ohiowarstories.org is funded by the Ohio Humanities Council.
With generous support from the Longaberger Foundation, we are recording WWII stories in Licking County.
Contributing Stations:
