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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