One hundred years ago, a full generation before Rosie the Riveter, women rolled up their sleeves and entered war industries where they had never been welcome before. They ran powerful machinery, learned new skills, and faced the sullen hostility of the men in the shops.

In this illustrated lecture, historian Carrie Brown reveals their courage and their hard work, and explores how these women helped shape the work that their more famous daughters would do in the next World War.

Carrie Brown earned a Ph.D. from the University of Virginia, specializing in the connections between American literature and folklore. She soon shifted her interest to the broader field of American Studies—working on a wide range of topics, from the history of aviation, to the rich culture of New England towns, to the work of men, women, and children in American factories.

She has been a museum curator and exhibit developer for more than 25 years, and she is the author of books, magazine articles, and exhibition catalogues.

This event is brought to the MCL through Vermont Humanities.