Comments on: WASPs: A Case For Equal Rights http://www.the-exponent.com/2009/07/17/wasps-a-case-for-equal-rights/ Am I Not a Woman and a Sister? Tue, 07 Sep 2010 07:02:18 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: EverydayCitizen http://www.the-exponent.com/2009/07/17/wasps-a-case-for-equal-rights/comment-page-1/#comment-12246 EverydayCitizen Thu, 06 Aug 2009 05:44:52 +0000 http://the-exponent.com/?p=3023#comment-12246 While all 1,100 WASP will be deservedly be awarded the gold medal, we must take special note of the most special honorees - the 38 women who died while serving during World War II. Mabel Rawlinson was one of the 38 WASP that made the ultimate sacrifice. She will receive her medal posthumously. It was at Camp Davis on the night of August 23, 1943, that Mabel lost her life when her airplane crashed and was consumed by flames. She became one of the very special women, numbering only 38, who served and died as pilots for the Air Force in World War II. Since WASP were technically considered volunteer civilian pilots and not Air Force pilots, no monetary compensation was available to the Rawlinson family for her funeral expenses. The other female pilots at Camp Davis pooled their extra money and assisted in the expense of transporting Mabel’s casket back to Kalamazoo for burial. Read the whole story here: http://www.everydaycitizen.com/2008/05/still_my_fallen_hero_fly_girl.html While all 1,100 WASP will be deservedly be awarded the gold medal, we must take special note of the most special honorees – the 38 women who died while serving during World War II.

Mabel Rawlinson was one of the 38 WASP that made the ultimate sacrifice. She will receive her medal posthumously.

It was at Camp Davis on the night of August 23, 1943, that Mabel lost her life when her airplane crashed and was consumed by flames. She became one of the very special women, numbering only 38, who served and died as pilots for the Air Force in World War II.

Since WASP were technically considered volunteer civilian pilots and not Air Force pilots, no monetary compensation was available to the Rawlinson family for her funeral expenses.

The other female pilots at Camp Davis pooled their extra money and assisted in the expense of transporting Mabel’s casket back to Kalamazoo for burial.

Read the whole story here:

http://www.everydaycitizen.com/2008/05/still_my_fallen_hero_fly_girl.html

]]> By: Dora http://www.the-exponent.com/2009/07/17/wasps-a-case-for-equal-rights/comment-page-1/#comment-12245 Dora Fri, 17 Jul 2009 22:36:32 +0000 http://the-exponent.com/?p=3023#comment-12245 Alisa ~ Yes, graciousness is an amazing social lubricant ... even more so when it is authentic. Generally, I wish correct principles would win out without the need for playing to the insecurities and faults of those in power. However, graciousness does help smooth the way and make things easier to swallow. It's something I aspire to. Yes, Davis, I read the wikipedia article. It states, "All records of the WASP were classified and sealed for 35 years, so their contributions to the war effort were little known and inaccessible to historians for many years." Are there different methods to classify and seal governmental/military records? I wonder how this compares to other events which the government has seen to fit to deny transparency to. I'm also unsure of the appropriateness of calling the Congressional medal a, "slap in the face." Apparently Deanie (former WASP) and Nancy (her daughter) Parrish have been trying to get this awarded for about a decade, and thought it a worthwhile cause. No doubt they were helped by Malachowski's proximity to the White House. Chelseaw ~ How amazing that your greatgrandmother served as a WAC at the same time as her sons! Good luck in finding out more about this fascinating period in your family history! Alisa ~ Yes, graciousness is an amazing social lubricant … even more so when it is authentic. Generally, I wish correct principles would win out without the need for playing to the insecurities and faults of those in power. However, graciousness does help smooth the way and make things easier to swallow. It’s something I aspire to.

Yes, Davis, I read the wikipedia article. It states, “All records of the WASP were classified and sealed for 35 years, so their contributions to the war effort were little known and inaccessible to historians for many years.” Are there different methods to classify and seal governmental/military records? I wonder how this compares to other events which the government has seen to fit to deny transparency to.

I’m also unsure of the appropriateness of calling the Congressional medal a, “slap in the face.” Apparently Deanie (former WASP) and Nancy (her daughter) Parrish have been trying to get this awarded for about a decade, and thought it a worthwhile cause. No doubt they were helped by Malachowski’s proximity to the White House.

Chelseaw ~ How amazing that your greatgrandmother served as a WAC at the same time as her sons! Good luck in finding out more about this fascinating period in your family history!

]]> By: chelseaw http://www.the-exponent.com/2009/07/17/wasps-a-case-for-equal-rights/comment-page-1/#comment-12244 chelseaw Fri, 17 Jul 2009 18:42:57 +0000 http://the-exponent.com/?p=3023#comment-12244 I love WASP stories! My great-grandmother was a WAC (I have a newspaper article about it - she served at the same time as 2 of her sons) but I don't know what specifically she did. I'll have to ask my grandfather about that. I love WASP stories! My great-grandmother was a WAC (I have a newspaper article about it – she served at the same time as 2 of her sons) but I don’t know what specifically she did. I’ll have to ask my grandfather about that.

]]> By: Davis http://www.the-exponent.com/2009/07/17/wasps-a-case-for-equal-rights/comment-page-1/#comment-12243 Davis Fri, 17 Jul 2009 16:22:19 +0000 http://the-exponent.com/?p=3023#comment-12243 Dora, As much as I normally hate Wikipedia, it has as good a summary about the WASP program as anywhere. The only thing classified about the WASP program was the specific missions each woman flew. While their records were not openly accessible, the existence of the program was never hidden. I had an aunt that was a WAVE and another that was a WAAC during the war. All of these programs have always been common knowledge - just not very publicized. This entire exercise in giving them the Congressional Gold Medal is in my view a cop out. The WASPs were awarded full military status in the late 70s. The Congressional Gold Medal is a civilian award. It is a slap in the face not to give them a Military award. Dora,

As much as I normally hate Wikipedia, it has as good a summary about the WASP program as anywhere.

The only thing classified about the WASP program was the specific missions each woman flew. While their records were not openly accessible, the existence of the program was never hidden. I had an aunt that was a WAVE and another that was a WAAC during the war. All of these programs have always been common knowledge – just not very publicized.

This entire exercise in giving them the Congressional Gold Medal is in my view a cop out. The WASPs were awarded full military status in the late 70s. The Congressional Gold Medal is a civilian award. It is a slap in the face not to give them a Military award.

]]> By: Alisa http://www.the-exponent.com/2009/07/17/wasps-a-case-for-equal-rights/comment-page-1/#comment-12242 Alisa Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:28:22 +0000 http://the-exponent.com/?p=3023#comment-12242 Great post, Dora, about something I never knew but find completely interesting. When I listened to the NPR coverage, I was encouraged by how gracious the WASP on the program was. It made me think that while a lot of my struggles based on my womanhood can get me down and leave me frustrated, I hope that in the end I will always learn to make peace with the world and show a lot of grace, no matter the unfair actions of others. Funny thing to get from this story, but it just really inspired me. Great post, Dora, about something I never knew but find completely interesting. When I listened to the NPR coverage, I was encouraged by how gracious the WASP on the program was. It made me think that while a lot of my struggles based on my womanhood can get me down and leave me frustrated, I hope that in the end I will always learn to make peace with the world and show a lot of grace, no matter the unfair actions of others. Funny thing to get from this story, but it just really inspired me.

]]> By: Dora http://www.the-exponent.com/2009/07/17/wasps-a-case-for-equal-rights/comment-page-1/#comment-12241 Dora Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:16:02 +0000 http://the-exponent.com/?p=3023#comment-12241 Davis, if you have a better sources of data, and can it them, I would be really appreciate it. As for myself, I actually attended a gifted magnet high school that had an emphasis on math and science. However, I am glad to know that you had the opportunity to learn about how women had such a great impact during the WW II efforts. As it is, it seems to me that the US conduct in regards to these women, in the aftermath of WW II, is shameful. If it were not so, there should have been no need to disband the WASP or classify and seal their records. One could say, given the social mores of the time, that it was just part of the paternaliztic culture that existed back them. However, it is still no less pathetic. Davis, if you have a better sources of data, and can it them, I would be really appreciate it. As for myself, I actually attended a gifted magnet high school that had an emphasis on math and science. However, I am glad to know that you had the opportunity to learn about how women had such a great impact during the WW II efforts.

As it is, it seems to me that the US conduct in regards to these women, in the aftermath of WW II, is shameful. If it were not so, there should have been no need to disband the WASP or classify and seal their records. One could say, given the social mores of the time, that it was just part of the paternaliztic culture that existed back them. However, it is still no less pathetic.

]]> By: Davis http://www.the-exponent.com/2009/07/17/wasps-a-case-for-equal-rights/comment-page-1/#comment-12240 Davis Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:31:39 +0000 http://the-exponent.com/?p=3023#comment-12240 I don't know where you went to school, but I learned about them in school in the early 80s. I do believe that these women deserve more credit, but your post does not give the full story. Many of them did not work for the Government. Many of them were actually employed by the aircraft manufacturers and contracted for the Government in the WASP program. Like I said, I think these women deserve more, but their situation is not as black and white as you imply. Just as today, Contractual obligations sometimes limited what the Government could do. I don’t know where you went to school, but I learned about them in school in the early 80s. I do believe that these women deserve more credit, but your post does not give the full story. Many of them did not work for the Government. Many of them were actually employed by the aircraft manufacturers and contracted for the Government in the WASP program.

Like I said, I think these women deserve more, but their situation is not as black and white as you imply. Just as today, Contractual obligations sometimes limited what the Government could do.

]]> By: Caroline http://www.the-exponent.com/2009/07/17/wasps-a-case-for-equal-rights/comment-page-1/#comment-12239 Caroline Fri, 17 Jul 2009 12:40:52 +0000 http://the-exponent.com/?p=3023#comment-12239 The story of the WASPs is both inspiring and shameful. I heard the interview on NPR last week, and I was horrified that these women pilots didn't receive military benefits and that their story was sealed up for so long. We have indeed come a long way in some ways (thank goodness). Thanks for this post, Dora. The story of the WASPs is both inspiring and shameful. I heard the interview on NPR last week, and I was horrified that these women pilots didn’t receive military benefits and that their story was sealed up for so long.

We have indeed come a long way in some ways (thank goodness). Thanks for this post, Dora.

]]> By: kew http://www.the-exponent.com/2009/07/17/wasps-a-case-for-equal-rights/comment-page-1/#comment-12238 kew Fri, 17 Jul 2009 11:29:35 +0000 http://the-exponent.com/?p=3023#comment-12238 I love the stories of the WASPs. Earlies this week I sat next to a man on a plane whose mother-in-law had been a WASP. I love the stories of the WASPs. Earlies this week I sat next to a man on a plane whose mother-in-law had been a WASP.

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