[exciting jazz music]

Trackwomen, 1943. Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company

Series: Women Working In Industry, 1940 - 1945. Record Group 86: Records of the Women’s Bureau, 1892 - 1995

March is Women’s History Month! Women have shaped this country’s history in more ways than we can count. Long before Rosie the Riveter joined the war effort in the 1940s, women earned wages to support themselves and their families. This series of posts celebrates the diversity of women’s labor, ranging from industry to agriculture to folklore and beyond. 

This archival series (Women Working In Industry, 1940 - 1945) contains images depicting women and their contributions to the war effort during World War II. The photographs show women for the first time on a mass scale and from every social and economical background preforming jobs that have been traditionally considered as men’s work. In addition to the clerical and secretarial fields, women are seen working in the aircraft industry, the metal industry, ordnance, the railroad, the shipyards, as well as the military services. There are approximately 94 different occupations shown in this series where women were performing the work.

Make sure you switch up your routine like how you get home or what time… don’t be predictable for the people keeping track.

Walk with purpose like you know where you are and where you’re going even if you don’t.

Have your keys in hand before you’re at your car or home so you won’t be standing there fumbling.

Have your phone charged and ready but don’t walk with your head down looking at your phone!!! I see this so much 😧.. and keep your location on.

Spin around fast every now and then just to see if anyone’s been watching, averting their gaze, or following you.

Someone need help? They break down? Need help with groceries? If you’re alone that ain’t your business, keep it moving. That’s how you get snatched.

Turn your music down or off so you hear around you. Pay attention to who’s around and for how long. Don’t be afraid to make eye contact to communicate “I remember your face”.. you can even speak.

Don’t put your kid’s name on their stuff because all someone has to do is call their name and say “Johnny your mom said come over here” .. same with you don’t fall for that.

Stay where a lot of people are, like, try not to be standing alone at night at a bus stop.. or walking to class on a deserted path with alleys or bushes, you know?

Don’t flash pricey things. Don’t leave it out in the open in your car. Don’t hold/count money in public.

Don’t meet up alone with someone you just met online or someone you just met period….. people LIE and fake whole personalities and life stories.. it’s EASY especially if they want you for a reason. Have a plan.

Learn some type of self defense and don’t be afraid to permanently injure/kill if need be. Also, I hear yelling “fire” gets more attention than “help”. Go figure.

You should share this for people in DC and close to you!!