Established by the Army Air Force in 1943, the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) program opened to civilian women with a pilot’s license who could afford to pay for their own transportation, training, and uniforms. Author Sarah Parry Myers will discuss how, despite their highly developed skill set, rigorous training, and often dangerous work, the women of WASP were not granted military status until 1977 and denied over three decades of Army Air Force benefits as well as the honor and respect given to male and female World War II veterans of other branches. Myers not only offers a history of this short-lived program but considers its long-term consequences for the women who participated and …
At War, At Sea: The Legacy of James Forten as a Revolutionary War Veteran
In February 2023, the Museum of the American Revolution opened the acclaimed special exhibition Black Founders: The Forten Family of Philadelphia. The exhibition introduced visitors to three generations of the family of James Forten (1766-1842), a free Black Revolutionary War veteran and sailmaker, as they battled slavery and defended freedom in the early United States. Matthew Skic, curator of exhibitions at the Museum of the American Revolution, will tell the story of the research behind Black Founders by highlighting the effort to bring together objects and documents relating to James Forten’s wartime experience as a teenaged sailor aboard the American privateer vessel Royal Louis and a prisoner of war held by the British, as well …
The Role of African Americans in the Civil War
African Americans played critical and transformative role in the Civil War. This webinar will provide a comprehensive overview, highlighting their significant contributions not only as soldiers but also as laborers, spies, and nurses. These roles were crucial to the Union’s triumph. Our distinguished panel, featuring Darius Brown and Nicka Sewell Smith, will shed light on the myriad challenges these individuals faced, their relentless struggle for freedom and equality, and the profound impact their service had on the outcome of the war and the shaping of American history. This narrative eloquently articulates the indispensable role of African American participation in one of the most pivotal conflicts of our nation. For details see iaamuseum.org/event/african-americans-role-in-the-civil-war-webinar/
African Americans in the Army: 1868-1948, with Janice Lovelace, PhD
Following the Civil War, when nearly 200,000 African American men served, the U.S. Army established 4 African American infantry (later modified to 2) and 2 cavalry regiments in 1868. They initially served in the West but fought in the Spanish American War and the two World Wars in segregated units. It was not until 1948 that Executive Order 9981 integrated the military. What was life like for these soldiers? Where do you find service and pension records? For details see familytreewebinars.com/webinar/african-americans-in-the-army-1868-1948/
Genealogy Seekers – Exploring the Greatest Generation, with Jennifer Holik
Contextual records are everywhere, not just the National Archives! Once you have established what units your service member was in and where they served, it is time to explore unit-level records. In this program you’ll explore: – The second part of the research strategy to piece together your veteran’s story. – How to add to your timeline of service and expand the narrative. – Explore various histories, journals, photos, and maps for all the military branches. – You will learn about the most valuable foundational records to put your service member into context and write a richer story everyone will want to read. These records help you write the narrative to your stories. They will …
