Raiderettes: The Womanpower Behind the P-47 Thunderbolt
The P-47 Thunderbolt is considered one of the most important fighter-bombers used by Allied Forces in World War II. Thunderbolts flew over half a million missions and are renowned by pilots for their durability and reliability.
Over one-third of all Thunderbolts were built at the Republic Aviation plant in Evansville. Notably, nearly half of the plant’s employees were women. Known as “Raiderettes,” they worked alongside male workers and boasted a variety of jobs including on the assembly lines, in the administrative offices, and even as test pilots. Many of the women were “two-job workers,” balancing 14-hour shifts at Republic with raising children while their partners fought overseas. Our new blog post examines the lived experiences of the Raiderettes and how they navigated being women workers in a “man’s” world, pushing against and often breaking the glass ceiling in the process.
This episode was written by Kelsey Green, produced by Jill Weiss Simins, and performed by Justin Clark. For show notes, sources, and links to more information visit the Talking Hoosier History homepage: https://podcast.history.in.gov/
“Justice and the Square Deal:” The Political Alliance of Mother Jones and John W. Kern
In this episode of Talking Hoosier History, we’ll learn about labor organizer Mary “Mother” Jones’s political partnership with John W. Kern, the U.S. Senator from Indiana, and how their alliance represented a real shift in attitudes regarding organized labor during the Progressive Era.
“Disguised As A Doughboy:” The Frontline War Work of Sarah M. Wilmer
Welcome to the first episode of the 2023 season of Talking Hoosier History. This is also our first short episode, the perfect length for classroom use. You’ll learn about the frontline efforts of Sarah M. Wilmer in WWI, how we do history with primary sources, and a related historical marker.