When WAC Was a Dirty Word by Bertha Marie Strittmatter Clark, 1977?
Overview
Personal account of Bertha Marie Strittmatter Clark's experiences as a member of the Women's Auxiliary Army Corps.
Dates
- Creation: 1977?
Language of Materials
Materials in English.
Access Restrictions:
Access. Collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright. Copyright in When WAC Was a Dirty Word is held by Bertha Marie Strittmatter Clark. Upon her death, copyright will transfer to the President and Fellows of Harvard College for the Schlesinger Library.
Copying. Papers may be copied in accordance with the library's usual procedures.
Extent
.21 linear feet linear feet (1/2 file box)Bertha Marie Strittmatter Clark was among the enlistees in the Women's Auxiliary Army Corps (WAAC), later known as the Women's Army Corps (WAC). When WAC Was a Dirty Word is a personal account of her experiences as a WAC stationed at Stout Field, Indianapolis, Indiana, from the beginning of World War II to the German surrender. Included are anecdotes showing unfavorable attitudes towards WACs, and how these attitudes changed with the recognition of the WAC contribution to the war effort. Specifically, the account illustrates the problems WACs encountered in their social lives, their marriage and family relationships, and their work, especially when doing work formerly done only by men. Corporal Strittmatter's activities as a columnist, first for WACTIVITIES and later for the Fielder are also described. There are secondhand accounts of the experiences of soldiers in the Normandy invasion and in the Pacific.
BIOGRAPHY
Bertha Marie Strittmatter Clark was a corporal in the Women's Auxiliary Army Corps (WAAC), later known as the Women's Army Corp (WAC). She was stationed at Stout Field, Indianapolis, Indiana, where she was a columnist for WACTIVITIES and the Fielder.
Physical Location
Collection stored off site: researchers must request access 36 hours before use.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Accession number: 77-M157
This volume was given to the Schlesinger Library in October, 1977 by Bertha Marie Clark.
Processing Information
Processed: November 1977
By: Gael Simonson
- Title
- Clark, Bertha Marie Strittmatter. When WAC was a dirty word by by Bertha Marie Strittmatter Clark, 1977?: A Finding Aid
- Author
- Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America
- Language of description
- eng
- EAD ID
- sch00507
Repository Details
Part of the Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute Repository
The preeminent research library on the history of women in the United States, the Schlesinger Library documents women's lives from the past and present for the future. In addition to its traditional strengths in the history of feminisms, women’s health, and women’s activism, the Schlesinger collections document the intersectional workings of race and ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and class in American history.