Event Detail

Back to Events
World War II Code Girls: What’s in a name?
  • Date: Wednesday, March 11, 2020
  • Time: 2:00 pm
  • Location: William G. McGowan Theater

World War II (WWII) was a trying time for the United States, but also an engaging one for women. As in the past, women answered the wartime call to fill the workplace, however, WWII had different demands than previous conflicts. Technology had advanced and women were filling many new roles to meet those new demands. Cryptographers or “Code Girls” fall into this category. These positions were in many branches of the military as well as Federal agencies. Locating the “Code Girl” personnel records at the National Archives at St. Louis presents a unique challenge. Women’s records are historically difficult to track down due to name changes and naming conventions such as “Mrs. (husband’s name).” Reference Archives Specialist Cara Moore Lebonick, takes you through the process of tracking down “Code Girl” personnel records and deciphering what they can reveal! Ms. Lebonick will be broadcast in remotely via video from her workplace in St. Louis.

Program presented in conjunction with Rightfully Hers: American Women and the Vote. Rightfully Hers is made possible in part by the National Archives Foundation through the generous support of Unilever, Pivotal Ventures, Carl M. Freeman Foundation in honor of Virginia Allen Freeman, AARP, AT&T, Ford Motor Company Fund, Facebook, Barbara Lee Family Foundation Fund at the Boston Foundation, Google, HISTORY ®, and Jacqueline B. Mars. Additional support for National Outreach and Programs provided by Denise Gwyn Ferguson, Maggie and Robert Boroujerdi, BMO Financial Group, The Hearst Foundations, Maris S. Cuneo Foundation, FedEx, Bernstein Family Foundation, and The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation/Ambassador Fay-Hartog Levin (Ret.).

All public programs at the National Archives are free. Reservations are recommended; seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. The doors to the building will open 45 minutes prior to the start of the program – please arrive no later than 15 minutes prior to the start of the program. Your seat may become available to any waitlisted guests at that time. Use the Special Events entrance on the corner of Constitution Avenue and 7th Street, NW. Click here for more information on getting to the National Archives and parking.

Live captioning will be available online and in the William G. McGowan Theater. If you require an alternative or additional accommodation for an event (such as a downloadable transcript or a sign language interpreter), please send an email to public.program@nara.gov or call 202.357.5000 in advance.

Members at the National Archives Foundation often receive advance notice of public programs, invitations to special events, and a 10% discount at the National Archives Store. Learn more and join today!