Myrtle A. Rhoden Collection
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Oral history interview with Myrtle Rhoden
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Primarily documents Myrtle Rhoden's early life and her service with the WAAC (Women's Auxiliary Army Corps) and the WAC (Women's Army Corps). Topics from Rhoden's early life include her parent's life in Jamaica; life in New York City; growing up around music; training to become a beautician; and a lengthy story of where she was when Pearl Harbor was attacked. " Discussion of Rhoden's enlistment in the WAAC includes how she met a recruiter; her decision to enlist on the spot; description of the testing and physical exams required for enlistment; and her family's tearful reaction. Basic training discussion topics include boarding the train to Fort Des Moines, Iowa; receiving uniforms; instructors; barracks life; marching; vaccines; and fixing WACs' hair. Topics from her time at Fort Clark, Texas, include her favorite songs from the era; rumors about the WAC; singing with the cavalry band; an altercation with civilian women; dancing at the service club; and recovery from appendicitis. " Discussion of Rhoden's overseas service includes receiving orders for overseas duty; cabins on the Ile de France; the ship being bombed for three days; planes flying over to destroy submarines; talking to servicemen aboard the ship; meeting General Benjamin O. Davis and Captain Charity Adams; the appearance of her base in Birmingham, England; being confronted with years of backlogged mail to sort; organizing the postal unit and visiting an English woman whose son was serving in the military. She also describes hostility from white, American, male soldiers and female civilians while in England. " Other topics include her marriage; the role of women in the military; and activity in the Veterans Association.
