Dr. Andrew Torget Speaks at the Women’s Club April Meeting

Dianne A

The members of the Robson Ranch women’s club were entertained by Andrew Torget, PhD, at their April meeting. Dr. Torget, a history professor at the University of North Texas, spoke to us about the role of women during World War II, especially in Texas. Texas had 750,000 of its citizens serving in the armed forces during World War II. With 190 military bases in Texas, approximately 1.4 million soldiers trained here.

But it was the women that were the subject of this program. Texas women played an important role in the eventual victory by the allies. Whether they were at home with their victory gardens, working in the plants and factories or as members of the military.

When congress decided to create a new women’s version of the Army, Oveta Culp Hobby, a Texan, was chosen to be the first director of the Women’s Army Corp (WAC). When the WAC was formed, only three positions were open to the women: switchboard operator, mechanic and baker. However, congress quickly expanded the positions women could hold to virtually everything the men could do except serve in combat. General MacArthur called the members of the WAC, “my best soldiers”.

In 1942, the Army began using women pilots. This eventually evolved into the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPS), and a training field was established in Sweetwater, Texas. The graduates were assigned to bases all over the United States to fly military airplanes, thus freeing up the male pilots to fly combat missions. By 1944, when the WASP were deactivated, they had flown 60 million miles in 78 different types of airplanes including the fastest pursuit planes and the heaviest bombers.

This fall, the women’s club will sponsor a trip for its members to Sweetwater to tour the air field and museum. Dr. Torget will lead the tour.

During the meeting, the women’s club introduced its newest members. The total number of members has now reached 391. The members who have birthdays in April were also recognized. The charity of the month was the children’s advocacy center for North Texas. They received a donation of $530.

The next meeting of the women’s club will be Monday, June 1. Doors open at 11 a.m. and lunch is served at 11:20 a.m. The program will be presented by Julie Glover. She was the economic development program administrator for the city of Denton for 23 years and will share stories about Denton’s growth from sleepy town to the dynamic town it is now.

Luncheon checks are due by Monday, May 25, at 8 a.m. and can be placed in the white mailbox at the Sports Center Women’s Lounge or paid by credit card at www.rrwomensclub.org.

The Robson Ranch Women’s Club is open to all women residing at Robson Ranch. It is a 501(c) corporation. More information can be found at our website: www.rrwomensclub.org.