Our next Women’s History month blog topic isn’t just one woman, it’s a group of women who helped the US win WWII.
Women Ordinance Workers – The “Boom Boom Girls”
Women were encouraged to “do their part” during World War II. Many found their place in war production. Women Ordnance Workers, more commonly known as WOWs, would work in the factories making ammunition and explosives. One of the largest manufacturers of munitions was Elkton’s Triumph Explosives Incorporated. Before the war, Elkton’s population was about 3,500 people. Triumph recruited and hired approximately 12,000 workers for its factory, and about 8,000 of these workers were women. Most were recruited from North Carolina, West Virginia, Virginia, Delaware, and Pennsylvania.
The ladies who worked at the factory were known as Boom-Boom Girls. These brave young women risked their health and lives to aid in the war effort. The chemicals used in the manufacture of explosives often turned the women’s hair bright orange and yellowed their skin as well. They often worked in unheated aluminum sheds, which were like ovens on the hot humid days of summer. The women sometimes worked 7 days a week in dangerous situations.
In 1943, the women’s worst fears came true. Fifteen Triumph workers were killed in an explosion at the factory. Fifty-four workers were injured and five buildings were destroyed. Eight women were among the dead.
The dead W.O.W workers were, according to the Cecil Whig:
MAUHEE NIDIFFER, Allentown Hill, W. Va.
SUSAN ROLLI, Eynon, Pa.
DELLA TRUMAN, Cedar Grove, W. Va.
ELLIS SIMMONS, Elkton.
IVA YOUNG, Ward, W. Va.
MRS. HIRLEY GALMORE, Coatesville, Pa.
CHRISTINE ERBY, Raleigh, N.C.
GILBERT POORE, Warwick, Md.
The “Boom-Boom Girls” weren’t on the front lines of battle, but their efforts made WWII’s victory possible!
