The iconic image of Rosie the Riveter seems to represent the role and work experience of U.S. women during World War II.  This image, however, does not account for more than 1.5 million women who filled white-collar jobs in the federal government. Numerous women accepted positions in blue-collar jobs. For many young Black women, the choices for work were quite limited. Munitions factories and other wartime industries hired these women to build bombs and other military products. Work in these factories was dangerous, the hours were long, and sometimes unrewarding. Other women worked as domestic servants. During World War II, Black and White women accepted appointments to work in federal agencies in Washington, DC.   

However, there was a small, but growing number of women who possessed the right skills to obtain white collar jobs in the federal government. The Great Migration served as the vehicle for the mass exodus out of the South. For single, young, and adventurous African American women, passing the civil service examinations enabled them to join White women in various federal agencies by helping to support the war effort.  These new federal civil service employees traveled from the Jim Crow South to seek other employment in the Army, Treasury, Navy, War, Pentagon, and other federal agencies.  As Government Girls accepted civil service jobs, these positions served to lift them out of domestic service and poverty into professional careers and middle-class lives.  

Until now, few knew the story of the African American Government Girls.

A documentary film in progress is being produced by Dr. Aura Wharton-Beck in collaboration with iDream.tv

We are seeking production, post production and distribution funding for this film. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to help us finish this film. Help us make it possible to share the experiences and contributions of the African American Government Girls of the 1940s with future generations.

This film is fiscally sponsored by Women in Film and Video (WIFV). Make a tax-deductible donation through WIFV. Every little bit helps us get to the finish line with this project.

Thank you!

Aura Wharton Beck and the iDream.tv production team

INDELIBLE NARRATIVES: AFRICAN AMERICAN GOVERNMENT GIRLS OF WWII

A documentary film in progress being produced by Dr. Aura Wharton-Beck in collaboration with a team from iDream.tv, a woman owned production company. Meet the documentary production team HERE.