Women's History

FORT HUACHUCA

[printed text of card 1] Isn't this Birthday Time for You! Wishing Happiness Every Hour [handwritten] First birthday in the Army 1943

[printed text of card 2] Happy Easter

[handwritten] First birthday in the Army 1943 [printed text of card 3] Birthday Greetings Good Wishes To my Special Friend

[printed text of card 4] Happy Birthday to you in the Service [handwritten] First birthday in the Army 1943

[printed text of birthday card] Happy Birthday, Even If Ah Is Late! Fo'git yo' Birfday? No-sir-ee! You knows dat ain't one bit lak me-- [handwritten] Gertrude Cruse First birthday in the Army 1943

[Newspaper photo #1] The Louisville Defender--First in Servic[e] [caption] The auditorium of the St. John's Catholic church in Des Moines was the scene of a bit of "democracy in action" last week when 2,000 colored and white members of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps, men of the armed forces and civilians made merry at the Mardi Gras, sponsored by the Keo-Way and the Locust Street (white) United Service organizations. For the first time--many of the women and soldiers from southern parts of the country--had opportunities to meet their colored WAAC sisters--in a social way, exchange friendly greetings and intermingle--without an [sic] evidence of friction. Left to right: Sgt. Charles Cary, Abline, [sic] Kan; Gertrude Green, Des Moines, Iowa; Aux. Geraldine Herndon, Council Bluff, Iowa; Aux. Inez Warren, Austin, Texas; Cpl. Charles Carter, Kansas City, Mo; Virginia Hanson, Des Moines, Iowa.

[Newspaper photo #2] RECRUITING SERVICE Lt. Ruth L. Freeman, a native of Liberty, Texas, has been assigned to do WAC recruiting duty in the Sixth Service Command with headquarters in Chicago. She was trained in the first group of officer candidates at Fort Des Moines and was promoted from second to first lieutenant last December.

[printed text, card #2] Congratulations! My first promotion [from?] Aug April 2-194 [damaged paper has lost much of the handwriting here.]

[gap]UGGING FOR WAACS [illegible] Times [photograph two smiling women] By Times Staff Photographer. Lieut. Doris M. Norrel, Lieut. Glendora Moore

1st Negro Members of Army Auxiliary In City Enlist 6 In Day.

With the silver bars of first lieutenants on their shoulders. first Negro members of the Women's Army Auxilary Corps to arrive in Louisville, Doris M. Norrel and Glendora Moore, are recruiting Negroes for the women's Army.

Leaving their base at Fort Hayes, Ohio, Monday, they added the name of six Louisville Negro women to the Waac roster. Lieu-

tenants Norrel and Moore explain the training and conduct mental and physical tests at a temporary headquarters at the U.S.O. Center, 920 W. Chestnut.

Recruits, Lieutenant Norrel explained, must be between 21 and 45, must pass Army mental and physical tests and have no dependent children under 14 years of age. ''All officers,'' she said, ''are chosen from the Auxiliary ranks.''

First Women in the Army [Christmas card red flowers in a ribboned box crate CHRISTMAS Greetings]

SECTION 1 THE COU[gap] Noted Negro Scientist, Dr. G. W. Carver, Dies

Was Born Of Slave Parents

Tuskegee, Ala., Jan. 5 (AP) - Dr. George Washington Carver, the noted Negro scientist, died tonight at his home at Tuskegee Institute.

Dr. Carver had been in failing health for some months and was confined to his bed for the past ten days.

Born of slave parents at Diamond Grove, Mo., he was never sure of his birth date, but once estimated that it was ''about 1864.''

Joined Faculty in 1894

He became a member of the Tuskegee Institute faculty in 1894 and had been attached to the Negro institution ever since.

Dr. Carver was recognized as one of the outstanding scientists in the field of agricultural research. He discovered scores of uses for such lowly products as sweet potatoes, peanuts and clay. From the south's red clay and sandy loam he developed ink, pigments, cosmetics, paper, paint and many other articles.

He will be buried in Tuskegee Cemetery, where also lies Booker T. Washington, founder and first president of the school.

Was Noted Artist, Too.

While Dr. Carver was best known for his contributions to southern agrictulure, he also was a noted artist whose works have hung in a number of well known galleries.

He was a humble man who passed up worldly gain ''to work among the trees and the ferns and the grass of God's good earth.''

Associates tell of the time that a pecan blight struck Alabama and Florida trees in the 1920's. A grower came to Dr. Carver with a plea for a cure, offering a large sum of money if he would undertake research. Dr. Carver developed a cure and his price to that grower and all others

[photograph: DR. CARVER.]

was merely the postage stamp necessary to mail it.

He Was Kidnapped Once.

When quite young, he and his mother were kidnapped from the farm where he was born and taken into Arkansas. His master, Moss Carver, ransomed him with a race horse but his mother had disappeared by the time a messenger reached the kidnappers.

Carver's cherished goal was a college education and he surmounted all difficulties to attain it. He was graduated from a Minneapolis, Kan. high school and then entered Simpson College, Iowa, where he earned his tuition by working in the college laundry. The future scientist spent the next few years at Iowa State College, accepting a faculty position there after he had attained his master's degree.

Received Many Honors.

In 1894, Dr. Carver became Tuskegee's first director of agriculture. As he grew older, he was released from his faculty duties to become the institute's consulting chemist and director of the U.S. Agricultural Experiment Station.

Given to ?? Lucy Joe [gap]at Ft. Huachuca May 18-1945

White envelope in top left corner reads: X-mas 1942 The Staff Of The Chestnut Street U.S.O. Club Wishes You A Merry Christmas And A Happy New Year Names: Kenneth A. Morris LouAlma Lankford William S. Coleman Myrtle B. Crawford

Card located on the middle left side which depicts the statue of liberty, American flag, and four military aircraft reads: Christmas Greetings To my SWEETHEART in The SERVICE Note at the bottom reads: First x-mas in the army. 1942

Card located on the middle right side reads: First x-mas in the army 1942 Location depicted on card: Unknown. Depiction of buildings next to a river with a boat and walkable bridge.

=1= Red, White and Blue_ We've certainly proved of you We'll stand the test We'll do our best for you =2= Right from the start Naac's from our heart We're true True to the Reed, True to the White the blue =3= Boys here we come We're on the run to you with spirits high We'll do and die with you.

Aux. Frances B. Rollins Russell, Ky

This old Gobbler strutted his stuff for the last time-- Lt. Ruth L. Freeman Ft. Des Moines, Iowa

Jackson, wherever you go after duration remember our "Wack Days" at Fort Des Moines. Deb Thompson Tenn. Slim Nashville, Tenn

THANKSGIVING 1942 Des Moines Iowa

Aux. Frances M. Johnson P. O. Box 402 Jefferson, Tex

[written inside the turkey] Mary B. Garrison 4468 Page Blvd St. Louis, MO

Lt [?] S Sherard 14th Co. 3rd Regt Fort Des Moines Iowa you are just as full of stuff as this WAAC Turkey. smile!!

In your chain of friendship always count me as a link Aux A. M. Jackson "Ft. Des Moines Iowa" "N. Creston [?] Ohio"

[clipping] Central Graduate Joins Faculty At Vocational School Mrs Julia Woods of Louisville has become head of the Department of Cosemetology at West Kentucky Vocational Training School, Paducah Kentucky. She succeeded Mrs Grayce Young. Mrs Woods went to the institution highly recommended by the Kentucky State Board of Barber and Beautician Examiners KSC GRADUATE Mrs. Woods was educated at Central High School here and at Kentucky State College. Her special work in the field of cosmetology was done at the Madame C. J. Walker Beauty School from which institution she was graduated as an operator, manager and instructor. ARMY SERVICE Mrs. Woods spent three years in the armed forces during World War II and was stationed in the European Theater of Operations. She held the rank of seargent as was the first and only Negro woman to serve as the military police force in the states or abroad.

[handwriting on clipping] Tuscon Ariz 1943 Almost missed what I sent for First birthday in the army [illegible] 93rd Blue [?]

[clipping] Birthdays Our attention was called to the birthdays of 32d Co. Auxs. Julia Jackson, Alice Meade, Hattie Martin and Zenobia Richard last week. We helped Aux. Zenobia Richard, of Houston, Texas, celebrate her birthday on Saturday night, March 13. A huge white adn green iced cake had been made by Sgts. Barrett, Watson, Taylor and Clay. The drinks (grape juice punch) was supplied by Cpl. Wheeler. Aux Richard received a number of presents fro mher soldier co-workers at Sta. Hosp. No. 2 About 40 Auxiliaries of 32d and 33d WAAC Companies shared her cake.

[1st/Left hand page] 1st WAAC Training Center Fort Des Moines, Iowa

[Reading Clockwise around the page] [right of 1st page] Remember a friend- Verdell a. Carnegie 519 Lincoln avenue albany georgia

"The world & race are very proud of you" ht.a.n. campbell Tuskegee first: ala Box 218

[Left hand bottom corner] "Turkey Day" aux . Danise Cook. atlanta, Georgia.

[left] aux . ??? Edmondson Remem her this thanksgiving day 7?. des moines, Iowa 11-26-42 "Texas Shine"

[2nd/right hand page] MENU Celery Olives Oyster Bisque Roast Turkey Gravy Chestnut Dressing Raw Cranberry and Orange Relish Hot Rolls Butter Candied Sweets-Mashed Potatoes Buttered Peas Mashed Turnips Lettuc Hearts Pumpkin Pie with Whipped Cream Coffee Candies Nuts

[Written in blue ink] If you can't be a tree on the top of the hill, be a [illegible] in the valley, but be the the best little [illegible] by the side of the hill be a bush if you can't be a tree, Amy Lucille C. Evans Dallas, Texas

3.

Pen."

"At Arterburn's Pen. What was that?"

"It was a place down here on First Street where they used to sell slaves jes' like cattle. Mother had eleven chilens and they sold 'em all 'cept Henry and me. They put 'em on a block to sell 'em an' they punched 'em and poked 'em, 'specially 'bout the chest to see if they had consumption. 'This is a strong one' they'd say. 'He aint got consumption. I'll take him'." Here she lapsed into silence for a time. I waited expectantly hesitating to speak. She continued.

"They sent my mother to the pen once 'cause she sassed Miss Mary. They called the police and told 'em to take her there. But they didn't really want to sell Mother. When they put her on the block the 'Ole Miss'

4.

ast' moe' an' any one could give for her and then afta the sale took her home again. Miss Mary and Miss 'Liza sho liked Mother. Bof of 'em wanted her, but old Mr. John settled who'd get her. He let 'em draw straws and Miss 'Liza got her."

Again she became silent. Then continued reminiscently, "Mother, saw awful whippin's in her time. She saw 'em gag the slaves, tie 'em hand and foot and whip 'em till they bled. Then they'd throw a bucket of salt water on their raw backs jes' like they was hogs."

She became more vehement as her story progressed. "Oh, I wish I had 'em! I wish I had 'em! I'd whip 'em like they whipped my forefathers."

With this she threw up her arms, and with a tragic wail she strode away. The past suddenly