March 4, 2002
Press Contact: Craig D'Ooge, Library of Congress (202)
707-9189
Public Contact: Veterans History Project (888) 371-5848
Veterans History Project Seeks Histories of Women Veterans
The Veterans History Project, an initiative of the Library of
Congress's American Folklife
Center, is issuing a special call to women veterans, defense
workers, wartime volunteers, entertainers, and home front supporters
to record their personal stories and experiences for long-term
preservation in the Library of Congress and other trusted repositories.
The call comes from Veterans History Project Director Ellen McCulloch-Lovell.
"Now, during Women's History Month," Ms. Lovell said,
"there is no more fitting time to honor our women veterans
and those women who served and supported our armed forces on the
home front." Noting that the sacrifices of these women have
been largely overlooked, Ms. Lovell has asked students, family
members, veterans, civic groups, and professional organizations
to "volunteer a little time beginning next month to interview
women who participated in America's 20th century wars."
Also as part of its efforts to document and honor women's wartime
experiences, the Veterans History Project will co-sponsor with
the Library of Congress Federal Women's Program a presentation
by documentary filmmaker Elaine Prater Hodges and historian Rosemary
Crockett on March 12 from 12 to 1:30 p.m. in the Mumford Room,
sixth floor, James Madison Memorial Building, Library of Congress,
101 Independence Ave. S.E. The program, "Women in Wars Past,"
is free and open to the public. Ms. Hodges, an Emmy Award-winning
filmmaker, will discuss her recent work conducting oral histories
with nurses who served in the military, and Dr. Crockett, a former
career foreign service officer, will describe her experiences
as director and principal interviewer for the oral history project
the Tuskegee Airmen Wives Tell Their Story.
The Veterans History Project was created by Congress in October
2000 (P.L.
106-380) to collect and preserve oral histories and documentary
materials from veterans and those who served in support of them
during World War I, World War II, and the Korean, Vietnam, and
Persian Gulf wars. Founding corporate sponsor AARP and the Disabled
American Veterans Charitable Service Trust have provided generous
financial support for the project, and more than 150 organizations
and institutions have become official
partners, including such women's groups as the Daughters of
the American Revolution, General Federation of Women's Clubs,
and Women in Military Service for America Memorial Foundation.
Anyone interested in participating in the Veterans History Project
may visit its Web site at www.loc.gov/vets/
or call its toll- free message line at 1-888-371-5848 to request
a project kit.
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PR 02-024
03/04/02
ISSN 0731-3527
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