When women were accepted in the military in the 20th century, only small amount of Hispanic women joined. A lot of people discouraged this because it would give them distance from their families and their work. But the nation was in need for anyone, regardless of gender, from any current citizen.
- Sergeant Mary (Valfre) Castro: She was the first Hispanic woman from San Antonio, Texas that joined the WAAC (Women's Army Auxiliary Corps). She wanted to help bring 7 male members of her family, who were fighting in Southwest Pacific. The Army sent her to radio school so she could learn how to translate encoded radio messages. Yet once she completed radio school, instead of going to a position she's been trained for, she was selected as a Sergeant in the WAC (Women's Army Corps).
2. Carmen (Contreras) Bozark: She joined the WAAC in 1942 because the Army were looking for bilingual Hispanics to fill in need assignments such as interpretation and communication. She then volunteered as tribute in the 149th WAAC Post Headquarters and went overseas to Africa. Bozark then worked as an Interpreter Army Headquarters and dealt with nightly German air raids.
*FUN FACT* Going overseas for women was dangerous because if captured they would have the same protection as male soldiers.
*FUN FACT* Going overseas for women was dangerous because if captured they would have the same protection as male soldiers.
3. Carmen (Lozano) Dumler: She was one of many who knew that she wanted to be an Army nurse when she graduated from the Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing. She was sworn in as a second lieutenant on August 21, 1944. The Army then sent her to Camp Tortuguero. The patients were happy to have a Spanish-speaking nurse to whom they could relate. Lieutenant Dumler assisted as an interpreter whenever necessary. Her next assignment was at the 359th Station Hospital at Ft. Read, Trinidad, British West Indies. The soldiers appreciated being able to talk out their anxieties and nightmares with someone who shared their language.
http://www.womensmemorial.org/Education/HisHistory.html