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Julia M. Jackson Woods scrapbook, 1942-1947

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This scrapbook was created by Julia M. Jackson Woods (1911-2000), an African American woman from Louisville, Kentucky, who enlisted in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) in November 1942. The scrapbook contains greeting cards, newspaper clippings, and ephemera from Woods' service, as well as more than 20 insignia and patches collected from various units, including her own sergeant stripes. The scrapbook documents the social side of military base life - cards from USO groups and friends, marriages, dances, and other interracial interactions between otherwise segregated regiments stationed at the same bases. A few items at the end of the volume relate to Woods' postwar life in Louisville. Woods served in the all-Black 32nd Post Headquarters Company of the WAAC. She did much of her training at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, near the Mexican border; she also served stints in Des Moines, Iowa and Midland, Texas. A clipping on one of the initial pages of the scrapbook notes that Jackson was one of Louisville's first volunteers to join the WAAC. She was discharged on August 14, 1943. After the United States Congress authorized the creation of the Women's Army Corps (WAC), she enlisted in the WAC on May 1, 1944. She ultimately reached the rank of sergeant and served in the military police force. The Army discharged her on December 24, 1945. After her service, she married Thomas Harry Woods (1914-1961) and was hired as the head of the all-Black Western Kentucky Vocational Training School Department of Cosmetology in Paducah, Kentucky, by 1946.

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=1= Red, White and Blue_ We've certainly proved of you We'll stand the test We'll do our best for you =2= Right from the start Naac's from our heart We're true True to the Reed, True to the White the blue =3= Boys here we come We're on the run to you with spirits high We'll do and die with you.

Last edit over 1 year ago by NobleRVA
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Aux. Frances B. Rollins Russell, Ky

This old Gobbler strutted his stuff for the last time-- Lt. Ruth L. Freeman Ft. Des Moines, Iowa

Jackson, wherever you go after duration remember our "Wack Days" at Fort Des Moines. Deb Thompson Tenn. Slim Nashville, Tenn

THANKSGIVING 1942 Des Moines Iowa

Aux. Frances M. Johnson P. O. Box 402 Jefferson, Tex

[written inside the turkey] Mary B. Garrison 4468 Page Blvd St. Louis, MO

Lt [?] S Sherard 14th Co. 3rd Regt Fort Des Moines Iowa you are just as full of stuff as this WAAC Turkey. smile!!

In your chain of friendship always count me as a link Aux A. M. Jackson "Ft. Des Moines Iowa" "N. Creston [?] Ohio"

[clipping] Central Graduate Joins Faculty At Vocational School Mrs Julia Woods of Louisville has become head of the Department of Cosemetology at West Kentucky Vocational Training School, Paducah Kentucky. She succeeded Mrs Grayce Young. Mrs Woods went to the institution highly recommended by the Kentucky State Board of Barber and Beautician Examiners KSC GRADUATE Mrs. Woods was educated at Central High School here and at Kentucky State College. Her special work in the field of cosmetology was done at the Madame C. J. Walker Beauty School from which institution she was graduated as an operator, manager and instructor. ARMY SERVICE Mrs. Woods spent three years in the armed forces during World War II and was stationed in the European Theater of Operations. She held the rank of seargent as was the first and only Negro woman to serve as the military police force in the states or abroad.

[handwriting on clipping] Tuscon Ariz 1943 Almost missed what I sent for First birthday in the army [illegible] 93rd Blue [?]

[clipping] Birthdays Our attention was called to the birthdays of 32d Co. Auxs. Julia Jackson, Alice Meade, Hattie Martin and Zenobia Richard last week. We helped Aux. Zenobia Richard, of Houston, Texas, celebrate her birthday on Saturday night, March 13. A huge white adn green iced cake had been made by Sgts. Barrett, Watson, Taylor and Clay. The drinks (grape juice punch) was supplied by Cpl. Wheeler. Aux Richard received a number of presents fro mher soldier co-workers at Sta. Hosp. No. 2 About 40 Auxiliaries of 32d and 33d WAAC Companies shared her cake.

Last edit about 1 year ago by DAHaraldson
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[1st/Left hand page] 1st WAAC Training Center Fort Des Moines, Iowa

[Reading Clockwise around the page] [right of 1st page] Remember a friend- Verdell a. Carnegie 519 Lincoln avenue albany georgia

"The world & race are very proud of you" ht.a.n. campbell Tuskegee first: ala Box 218

[Left hand bottom corner] "Turkey Day" aux . Danise Cook. atlanta, Georgia.

[left] aux . ??? Edmondson Remem her this thanksgiving day 7?. des moines, Iowa 11-26-42 "Texas Shine"

[2nd/right hand page] MENU Celery Olives Oyster Bisque Roast Turkey Gravy Chestnut Dressing Raw Cranberry and Orange Relish Hot Rolls Butter Candied Sweets-Mashed Potatoes Buttered Peas Mashed Turnips Lettuc Hearts Pumpkin Pie with Whipped Cream Coffee Candies Nuts

[Written in blue ink] If you can't be a tree on the top of the hill, be a [scrub?] in the valley, but be the the best little [scrub?] by the side of the hill be a bush if you can't be a tree, Amy Lucille C. Evans Dallas, Texas

Last edit 6 months ago by MaryV
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[Written piece above newpaper clipping] FT HUACHUCA Ariz U.S.O club 1943

[Small newspaper clipping] WAACS May Be Taken Into Army WASHINGTON, Marth 16. (AP) -The House Military Affairs Committee voted today to make the WAACS an integral part of the Army and give them Army benefits Generally. Approving with amendments a bill already passed by the senate, the committee also voted to rename the organization the Women's Army Corps, rather than the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps. The committee bill would lower the minimum age limit for elistments in the corps from 21 to 20 years; the maximum remains at 45.

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U.S.O. Staff Fort Huachuca, Arizona requests the honor of your presence at a Formal Ball given in honor of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps Friday February 26, 1943 - 7:30 P.M. H. S. O. Club Present Invitation

Ft Huachuca Unit 1943

[Picture of a house]

Mrs. D. F. R[???] Mrs. W. E. C[???] Mr. W. I. C[??] Ft. [???] 223 King 1

An Easter Prayer for One in the Service

Last edit over 1 year ago by Zbooton
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The Resurrecting the First American West Project is presented through the generous support of the National Endowment for the Humanities and its Sustaining the Humanities through the American Rescue Plan initiative. With this support, the Filson will launch a digital exhibit on the diverse Ohio Valley frontier supported by a series of public programs in 2022.