Watch Homefront Heroines: The WAVES of World War II

Homefront Heroines: The WAVES of World War II is a documentary film released in 2012 that explores the contributions of the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES) during World War II. The film was directed by Kathleen M. Ryan, who serves as associate professor of history and director of the Center for Oral and Public History at California State University, Fullerton.

The film draws on archival footage, interviews with surviving WAVES veterans, and readings from letters, diaries, and other primary sources to paint a vivid picture of the experiences of these trailblazing women.

The WAVES were established in July 1942, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed legislation allowing women to serve in the U.S. Navy in non-combat roles. The WAVES were not the first women to serve in the military, but they represented a significant departure from previous efforts to enlist women in wartime. WAVES were subject to military discipline, received regular pay and benefits, and were assigned duties ranging from clerical work and radio operation to meteorology and aviation.

The film explores how the establishment of the WAVES represented an important victory for advocates of women's rights and equal opportunity. Women had long been excluded from military service on the grounds that they were too physically weak or emotionally fragile, but the success of the WAVES demonstrated that women were capable of fulfilling a range of military duties.

The film also touches on the challenges that the WAVES faced in their service. WAVES often had to deal with sexism, harassment, and discrimination, especially when they were first deployed. They were frequently subjected to scrutiny and gossip from their male peers, and often had to prove themselves capable of carrying out their duties.

In addition to exploring the broader social and political context of the WAVES, the film also tells the stories of individual WAVES and their experiences during the war. The film showcases the diversity of the WAVES, including women from different backgrounds, ethnicities, and regions of the country. Some WAVES grew up on farms and had never left their small towns before joining the Navy, while others were seasoned travelers and cosmopolitan urbanites.

The film highlights the WAVES' contributions to the war effort, both at home and abroad. WAVES worked in offices, hospitals, and laboratories across the United States, performing a wide range of tasks to support the Navy's operations. Some WAVES were deployed overseas, serving in Europe, Asia, and the Pacific. WAVES working in naval hospitals often had to confront the horrors of war head-on, tending to wounded soldiers and sailors and dealing with the psychological toll of combat.

Throughout the film, the voices of the WAVES themselves take center stage. The filmmakers draw on a rich trove of first-person accounts, including letters home to family and friends, journals recording daily life and observations, and oral histories collected by the filmmakers themselves. These accounts provide a window into the emotions, fears, and joys of the WAVES, as well as their hopes for the future.

Overall, Homefront Heroines: The WAVES of World War II is a compelling and powerful tribute to the women who helped to win the war and to advance the cause of women's rights in the United States. Through their stories, the film reveals the courage, resilience, and spirit of the WAVES, and the enduring legacy of their service.

Homefront Heroines: The WAVES of World War II is a 2013 documentary with a runtime of 55 minutes.