Oh my! Tears! I'm so full of emotion and pride for the women! I'm 67 and have never heard about this. Rosie the Riveter, yes, but not these women. I live in farm land in central California and it makes so much sense; can't believe it never crossed my mind to wonder what happened to the farms when the men went away. Thank you for this beautiful and inspiring article!
These kind of stories, about what people achieved together during WWII are what is missing from our country’s response since 9/11 imho. Where was leadership inspiring us & harnessing our energies to work together to help our country recover & grow. Instead we focused on increasing personal wealth at the expense of our country. This is key to the moral failings we see in government today it seems to me. Curious if others share a similar view.
Thank you, Sharon, for filling this hole in my WWII knowledge. Of course, the women were amazing. And could certainly learn to drive a tractor. Too bad this change would not be built on but instead women were to leave jobs to the returning men. I recall my mother-in law-talking about this. She was one of the Rosie the Riveter women. We still have the simple tool she welded as part of her training.
Came here to say the same thing maybe land girls would’ve been better than Farmettes? We lived in England for three years and learned quite a bit about the land girls and how England’s farms would’ve failed without them
Thanks for highlighting the contributions of Florence Hall! The farm labor shortage during WWII was a famine-threatening problem, and there were many unsung heroes who saved the crops. There were also young teen girls and boys who left their homes in the city to work as Victory Farm Volunteers on rural farms across the country--2.5 million of them! My father was one of them and I've interviewed other nonagenarians who participated in the VFV program as well (https://karenweissman.com). Another power-house woman, Dorothy Thompson, created the prototype program for the Victory Farm Volunteers. So much fascinating history to uncover, and I love how you bring it all together Sharon!
Thank you Sharon, for this lovely true story about the quiet, unheralded strength and persistence of women. I hope someone will make this into a movie. Is this shareable to folks without subscriptions?
Well here we are. Another reason why I subscribe to the Preamble and a member of your book club and follow you on social media. I continue to learn from you! Why people and subjects such as this have not been taught in our history classes remains a mystery to me. Thank you for the research and for sharing this much needed history.
It does my heart so much good to have read of this wonderful work done by so many patriotic women going to the fields to work the land for our country during the second world war and for that feat to be chronicled in this article by you, Sharon.
Many thanks for your continued effort to bring our American history to us in such inspiring stories such as this one about the Women's Land Army.
Thank you for sharing this Sharon. So many times women's history isn't recorded. I am nearly 67. Mom was home with my sister when Dad was serving in the Pacific during WWII. She volunteered with the Red Cross and was shamed by others in her social class for doing that. Mom spoke of difficulty of rations at that time.
Thanks for sharing this story! Because of women like Florence, by the time I was growing up on my father's farm, there was no doubt I could learn to drive a tractor and contribute!
Wow! Tears in my eyes! I’m so proud of Florence and all of these women. I am grateful to be made aware of their astounding accomplishments finally unearthed. ❤️
Oh my! Tears! I'm so full of emotion and pride for the women! I'm 67 and have never heard about this. Rosie the Riveter, yes, but not these women. I live in farm land in central California and it makes so much sense; can't believe it never crossed my mind to wonder what happened to the farms when the men went away. Thank you for this beautiful and inspiring article!
These kind of stories, about what people achieved together during WWII are what is missing from our country’s response since 9/11 imho. Where was leadership inspiring us & harnessing our energies to work together to help our country recover & grow. Instead we focused on increasing personal wealth at the expense of our country. This is key to the moral failings we see in government today it seems to me. Curious if others share a similar view.
Thank you, Sharon, for filling this hole in my WWII knowledge. Of course, the women were amazing. And could certainly learn to drive a tractor. Too bad this change would not be built on but instead women were to leave jobs to the returning men. I recall my mother-in law-talking about this. She was one of the Rosie the Riveter women. We still have the simple tool she welded as part of her training.
I saw a British tv series called Land Girls, I think that was the name. It was very interesting.
Nor a documentary but a drama. It was about the women in Britain who volunteered on farms.
Came here to say the same thing maybe land girls would’ve been better than Farmettes? We lived in England for three years and learned quite a bit about the land girls and how England’s farms would’ve failed without them
Thanks for highlighting the contributions of Florence Hall! The farm labor shortage during WWII was a famine-threatening problem, and there were many unsung heroes who saved the crops. There were also young teen girls and boys who left their homes in the city to work as Victory Farm Volunteers on rural farms across the country--2.5 million of them! My father was one of them and I've interviewed other nonagenarians who participated in the VFV program as well (https://karenweissman.com). Another power-house woman, Dorothy Thompson, created the prototype program for the Victory Farm Volunteers. So much fascinating history to uncover, and I love how you bring it all together Sharon!
I love this!! I had no idea! Rosie the Riveter, yes she’s great, but FLORENCE THE FARMER? Wow, truly remarkable and worthy of recognition.
The creator who coined the expression, “How hard can it be? Boys do it.” Is @MadsMitch
https://www.tiktok.com/@mad_mitch/video/7289904614713871647?lang=en
https://www.instagram.com/madsmitch?igsh=aTQ0OXRjOHZid2l4
Came here to say the same thing. Wish there was an attribution.
Same. Attribution is so important.
Thank you Sharon, for this lovely true story about the quiet, unheralded strength and persistence of women. I hope someone will make this into a movie. Is this shareable to folks without subscriptions?
Well here we are. Another reason why I subscribe to the Preamble and a member of your book club and follow you on social media. I continue to learn from you! Why people and subjects such as this have not been taught in our history classes remains a mystery to me. Thank you for the research and for sharing this much needed history.
It does my heart so much good to have read of this wonderful work done by so many patriotic women going to the fields to work the land for our country during the second world war and for that feat to be chronicled in this article by you, Sharon.
Many thanks for your continued effort to bring our American history to us in such inspiring stories such as this one about the Women's Land Army.
Thank you for sharing this Sharon. So many times women's history isn't recorded. I am nearly 67. Mom was home with my sister when Dad was serving in the Pacific during WWII. She volunteered with the Red Cross and was shamed by others in her social class for doing that. Mom spoke of difficulty of rations at that time.
Why, oh why when this country successfully created federally sponsored day care cannot we not do it 80 years later?
Dang! Sorry about the typo above. Why can't we do it 80 years later?
Thanks for sharing this story! Because of women like Florence, by the time I was growing up on my father's farm, there was no doubt I could learn to drive a tractor and contribute!
Wow! Tears in my eyes! I’m so proud of Florence and all of these women. I am grateful to be made aware of their astounding accomplishments finally unearthed. ❤️
An amazing story of dedication and determination buried in boxes for years! Thank you for revealing the truth about
this incredible woman and the women she recruited. Their patriotism is certainly inspiring!
What an amazing story! Never had heard this story and find it so interesting and so proud!