Miami, Jan. 30, 2020 – Miami Dade College (MDC), in association with The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, McClatchy, The Miami Herald, and the National Women’s History Museum, presents “How Did American Women Act? Heroism on the Homefront” – a free public program at 7 p.m., on Thursday, Feb. 20, that explores the role of women during World War II, and the life-risking actions that some brave women dared to take. This event is free and open to the public (pre-registration required).
Women’s roles changed significantly in World War II America. Many joined the war effort and wielded new power through jobs outside the home. But their influence wasn’t limited to factory floors. Some women used their social and political positions to fight back against isolationism and sound the alarm about the plight of Europe’s Jews. A few even put their lives at risk to organize acts of rescue.
The program’s experts will explore the role of everyday women, as well as the mindset of a select few who dared to take action, including Lois Gunden, Edith Rogers and Eleanor Roosevelt.
“The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum is bringing this important topic to the Miami community to examine the role of the everyday woman during the World War II era and to learn about local stories that involved women and their families in South Florida at this time,” said Robert Tanen, the Museum’s Southeast Regional Director.
Featured speakers will include Denise Kiernan, writer, producer and author of the New York Times bestseller The Girls of Atomic City: The Untold Story of the Women Who Helped Win World War II; Gretchen Skidmore, Director, Education Initiatives, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum; and the events’ moderator will be Kristin Roberts, Vice President of News, McClatchy.
As part of this program, McClatchy and The Miami Herald will collect these stories to include in the “Flashback Miami” series. A selection of the responses may be shared during the public program or on social media.
Local community members are encouraged to share how American women they are familiar with contributed to the war effort and/or helped to rescue European Jews at this link: https://hrld.us/awa.
WHAT: “How Did American Women Act? Heroism on the Homefront”
WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 20, 7 – 8:30 p.m.
WHERE: MDC’s Wolfson Campus, Room 3210 (Bldg. 3, Second Floor)
300 N.E. Second Ave.
About the Museum
A living memorial to the Holocaust, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum inspires citizens and leaders worldwide to confront hatred, prevent genocide, and promote human dignity. Its far-reaching educational programs and global impact are made possible by generous donors. For more information, visit www.ushmm.org.
RSVP online at www.ushmm.org/events/women-miami, call 561-995-6773 or e-mail southeast@ushmm.org.
Media Contacts: Monika Levin at 954.675.9885, monika@redbanyan.com; or Kristy Buechner, kbuechner@ushmm.org, 202-314-1754.