Carol Bell Collection of World War II Women's Air Corps (WAC) Interviews
The Carol Bell WAC Interviews, 1996, consists of audio recordings and transcripts of interviews with 20 women who served in the Women's Army Corps during World War II. The interviews, conducted by Carol Owen Bell, set out to discover the long-term effects of military experience on women who actually served in the war.
Dates
- 1993-1996
Language
The material in this collection is in English.
Conditions Governing Access
Collections are stored offsite and must be requested in advance. See www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.
Conditions Governing Use
The UT Libraries claims only physical ownership of most material in the collections. Persons wishing to broadcast or publish this material must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants on www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.
Extent
0.5 Linear Feet
Abstract
The Carol Bell WAC Interviews, 1996, consists of audio recordings and transcripts of interviews with 20 women who served in the Women's Army Corps during World War II. The interviews, conducted by Carol Owen Bell, set out to discover the long-term effects of military experience on women who served in the war.
Biographical/Historical Note
During World War II an estimated 150,000 women served in the WAC. These women were the first, besides nurses, to serve with the Army. The branch was created when it was apparent that there weren't enough men to do the job, despite conservative opinions that women shouldn't be allowed in uniform. Created by law in 1942, the WAC modeled itself after similar outifts created by the British military. Douglas MacArthur referred to the WACs as his best soldiers, and Dwight Eisenhower noted how immeasurable their contributions to the war were.
Acquisition Note
This collection was donated to Special Collections by Carol Bell in 1996. It is the primary research of her Master's Thesis, The Long-Term Impact of Military Experience on World War II Women's Army Corps Veterans, December, 1996.
Repository Details
Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository