The National WWII Museum’s Jenny Craig Institute for the Study of War and Democracy is proud to present its next scholarly symposium in honor of Women’s History Month. The program will feature topics expanding upon the Our War Too: Women in Service special exhibit, providing program guests with additional content about women’s role in the war.

PROGRAM SYNOPSIS

The program will begin on the evening of Thursday, February 29, with an opening reception and keynote lecture, the Gen. Raymond E. Mason Jr. Distinguished Lecture on World War II featuring retired US Army Col. Edna Cummings. Col Cummings will kick-off the event speaking on the legacy of African American women in the military.

On Friday, March 1, the all-day program will explore various topics discussing women’s contributions to World War II. Hear authors Shannon McKenna Schmidt and Christopher Gorham discuss leading figures during the war such as Eleanor Roosevelt and Anna Rosenberg. Other topics of discussion include how the military recruited and trained women for military service, along with nurses and their significant role in the war.

Guests will also have the opportunity to hear a behind the scenes discussion on the creation of Our War Too with time following to view the special exhibit. The program will conclude with a conversation featuring author Jennet Conant, on her newly released book Fierce Ambition. This biography covers the life of Maggie Higgins, a war correspondent who reported from the front lines of the European Theater on various events of the war, including the liberation of Dachau.

This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required.

Date: Thursday, February 29, 2024 | Location: Louisiana Memorial Pavilion

5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. | Opening Reception

6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. | Opening Keynote: Gen. Raymond E. Mason Jr. Distinguished Lecture on World War II

• Col. Edna W. Cummings, US Army (Ret), “The Legacy of African American Women in WWII”

Date: Friday, March 1, 2024 | Location: BB’s Stage Door Canteen

8:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. | Welcome

• Michael Bell, PhD, Executive Director of the Jenny Craig Institute for the Study of War and Democracy

8:45 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. | Giants of History: Leading American Women of World War II

• Shannon McKenna Schmidt, The First Lady of World War II: Eleanor Roosevelt’s Daring Journey to the Frontlines and Back
• Christopher Gorham, The Confidante: The Untold Story of the Woman Who Helped Win WWII and Shape Modern America

10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | Break

10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. | Women in Uniform Young Scholars Panel

• Brittany Huner, “Recruiting Women in WWII”
• Molly Sampson, “WAAC Training Programs”

11:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. | Lunch Session: Our War Too: Women in Service Special Exhibition Presentation

• Kim Guise, Senior Curator and Director for Curatorial Affairs

12:15 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Lunch Break and Special Exhibition Viewing

2:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. | Women in Science and Medicine

• Charissa Threat, PhD, Nursing Civil Rights: Gender and Race in the Army Nurse Corps
• Elizabeth Norman, PhD, We Band of Angels: The Untold Story of the American Women Trapped on Bataan

3:15 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. | Break

3:45 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. | Fierce Ambition: The Life and Legend of War Correspondent Maggie Higgins

• A conversation with author Jennet Conant

4:45 p.m. | Closing Remarks

• Michael Bell, PhD, Executive Director of the Jenny Craig Institute for the Study of War and Democracy