Women of color were involved in many movements and parts of history that most don’t even know about. Women of color have played a part in many wars like the Civil War, World War I and II. They served as nurses, as well as served in different parts of the military. These women, who are named and whose names are unknown, helped keep soldiers alive, feed them, and tend to their needs. Their contribution to the wartime effort needs to be recognized. Here are facts about women of color’s contributions to war that you won’t see in your history books:
Civil War
Black women served as nurses and did chores for the soldiers. Many black women followed their husbands when they joined the Union Army and worked with the unit. The Union Army also had black women to raise cotton for the North to sell. Some black women also served on ships, five served under nuns aboard the Navy ship Red Rover, four of the nurses were names Alice Kennedy, Sarah Kinno, Ellen Campbell, and Betsy Young. These women were just five of 181 black nurses that served in hospitals during the Civil War. One notable nurse was Susie King, she worked as a cook, nurse, and did laundry during the war. She was able to read and write so she set up schools for black children and soldiers. Even though many black men who served in the war weren’t paid for a while, Susie King was never paid for her service even though she served for four years and three months.
World War I
Black nurses enrolled in the Red Cross and hoped to be able to enlist in the Army or Navy Nurse Corps. When the Armistice was called, 18 black Red Cross nurses were enlisted in the Army Nurse Corps. After the war though, they were released from their service and reduced back to their positions before the war.
World War II
In 1941, the Army opened nurse corps to black women, but restricted it to 56. President Roosevelt created an Executive Order which led way to eradication racial discrimination in defense. In 1943, an amendment was introduced to bar racial bias. After that, 2,000 people of color were enrolled in Cadent Nurse Corps.