UNSUNG HEROINES

Ordinary women who did extraordinary things during World War II.

Background
The stories of ordinary women left at home during WW2 have rarely been told but they are part of the same generation as the men who went away to fight. Like those men, they are now elderly and unless we act quickly their stories are going to die with them. 

It is important for present and future generations to understand and appreciate just how the actions of those women who were pitched into non-traditional and unfamiliar roles changed the social fabric in UK forever and paved the way for later generations. For the first time women, on a larger scale, became part of the day to day mechanics of the Nation and broke the social moulds and social barriers of class and expectation laid down over many years. 

In this project we aimed to play a part in preserving their stories, recording them aurally and visually, and creating a resource for the present generation and for generations to come. 

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The exhibitions
More than 30 women from diverse backgrounds and wartime activities were photographed and interviewed.  Two exhibitions were then held as follows: 

• a preview photographic exhibition was held at Riverside Studios, Crisp Road Hammersmith, in March 2005, timed to coincide with International Women's Day on March 8th.
   
• a wider photographic and oral recordings exhibition was held at Croydon Airport for a week in May 2005.  Many of the women who contributed their stories and memories attended the opening event.  Children from local schools also took part.

The exhibitions featured women who served in the Armed Forces, on the land, in factories, on the stage, in civil defence, reserved occupations, essential work and munitions - women who did extraordinary things to help make the country what it is today.

An audio CD was made to include some of the recordings plus other contributions recorded separately. 

The project team
Photographer: Belinda Sinclair
Editorial team (sound recordings): Belinda Sinclair, Rosie Parkyn, Sophie Humes, Philippa Law, Kate Rudman, Hannah Chamberlain, Jenny Steele, Amanda Redman, Kate Colin, Elaine Cusack, Julia Whitehead, Mary Ellen Coyte.
 

Funders
Women's Radio Group is grateful for financial support from the Home Front Recall Lottery grant (part of the Veterans Reunited programme) for the exhibition and sound recordings.

Click here for details of the audio CD and how to order a copy.