"We Didn't Have Rosie the Riveters"

Not long after this order with traditionally feminine jobs, women started holding more non-traditional roles. In November 1942, the first women were hired as crate assemblers, an important role needed for the packaging and shipping of ammunition. Later in December of 1942, the first female guards started working at the Depot. Women came to hold many other traditionally masculine roles, such as those of truck drivers, ammunition handlers, and forklift operators. 

But the good pay at defense industries like the Depot contributed to societal problems and labor shortages in other fields. For example, Nebraska experienced a teacher shortage during World War II. 

Women working in defense industries, especially in traditionally masculine roles, caused other concerns in communities. Because of how many changes World War II brought, not everyone accepted the idea of women working in traditionally masculine roles. 

These feelings became more visible in discussions about cases of juvenile delinquency. Cheyenne County did not experience as many issues with juvenile delinquency as other communities during the War, but leaders in the area recognized the potential for them. Some community leaders even blamed the Depot for employing women and leaving children to fend for themselves.

By raising these concerns, the community risked discouraging women from applying for jobs at places like the Depot. However, community leaders knew that women played a vital role at the Depot. They did not want to discourage them from applying for jobs at a time when the entire nation faced a labor shortage. To help combat the potential for juvenile delinquency, members of the community helped to find recreational opportunities for youth. 

Impact of Employment

Women were highly-valued employees because the Depot continued to employ them even in the post-war era. The contributions of women at the Depot during World War II left a lasting impression on their lives and those who worked on them. As the war ended, employers across the country began letting their female employees go. By this point, men had returned from war, and they were still employers' first choice for hires. 

Some women left employment at the Depot to chase other life goals. After working at the Depot, several WOWs went on to pursue post-secondary education. Other women quit working at the Depot to get married, have children, and take care of their families. In fact, many women met their future spouses while at the Depot.

However, not all of the Depot's WOWs left employment. Some ended up staying to work at the Depot for many more years! Their continued employment led to the employment of other women later in the Depot's history. Like those who served during World War II, these women contributed to the demilitarization and militarization processes, helped with the war effort for the Korean and Vietnam Wars, and even met their future spouses while employed. 

Conclusion

Women were one of the highly-valued groups of employees at the Sioux Ordnance Depot during World War II. Whether out of a sense of patriotic duty, a desire to serve, or a need to support their families, the WOWs contributed significant labor and support to help the Depot meet its required quotas. 

Although women filled many roles at the Depot, there were not enough of them. This led the Depot's Personnel Division to look for even more potential employees. 

Visit the Fort Sidney Museum and Post Commander's Home to view the Sioux Army Depot exhibit and learn more about this history!