Mel Bloom
1942: The Year Women Joined The Military
When Pearl Harbor happened in December 1941, women were not allowed to serve in the military. Yet, by December 1942, over 100,000 women were serving in the Army, the Coast Guard, and the Navy, with the Marines putting plans in place to introduce women into their ranks. Women were serving as civilian contractors ferrying planes and Army and Navy nurses were gradually being moved closer to the frontlines in Europe, Africa, and the Pacific. In the span of twelve months, tremendous social and political changes carved out a new role for women in the military amongst a growing need for men to be in combat around the globe. This presentation will take a look at what happened in 1942 that changed women’s roles permanently.
Mel Bloom, M.S., is an Air Force veteran and educational speaker with several years of experience in public history focusing on women’s topics. She has a B.S. in Architecture, an M.Arch, and a M.S. in Historic Preservation. She launched 3-5-0 Girls in 2022 to tell the stories of women who served in the military, stories that had previously gone unknown. In addition to public speaking, Bloom provides interpretive services at many local museums as well as research, feedback, and exhibit design for displays featuring women who served in the military.
