Photograph above: Courtesy of Girls With Wings Blog
OPposition To the WASPs
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During the program, Cochran and her WASPs faced strong opposition because women were seen as weak and ineffective, demonstrated through: "Their careers will be marriage" (Time Magazine in the article "Home by Christmas" in reference to the WASPs in their suspected failure). |
Courtesy of Women Airforce Service Pilots of WWII
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Statistics:
As shown in the statistics table above, Cochran and her WASPs were denied even the simplest benefits throughout the program because of sexism.
This opposition intensified towards the end of WWII, and it became evident their discontinuation was near. The WASPs were portrayed as temporarily "serving... to release male pilots for other work and not to replace them" (letter from General Arnold). In late 1944, male pilots lobbied to have the program deactivated to renew their positions. During their final existence, WASPs were attacked by the media (especially after requesting militarization), exemplified through Time Magazine articles:
Courtesy of Time Magazine
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Courtesy of Time Magazine
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Courtesy of Wings Across America
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Although Cochran faced much opposition, she answered her critics' claims that women were too meek to fly planes. "In the end, the women had a lower rate of accidents per 100,000 hours flown than the men" (Women Airforce Service Pilots of WWII). These girls were able to fly so well because Cochran's leadership throughout her program.
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COCHRAN'S SPEECH TO THE LAST WASP GRADUATING CLASS (DECEMBER 7, 1944)
Courtesy of Wings Across America
"I don't know it seems incredible...that you can have so many different emotions... happiness, sorrow,pride...I have all three of those today.
I'm very happy that we've trained a thousand women to fly the Army way...I think it's going to mean more to aviation than anyone realizes.
I'm very happy that General Arnold and General Yount that made this possible, are here for the final phase of this wonderful program ...
this program that will go down in history...not only in history, but I'm sure it's going to do something that is so vital and has been so badly needed in aviation for so many years...
and that is women's interest...and I'm sure that if there's a reason to call you girls back up after December 20, that all of you will respond and that we'll have probably 95% of you back in the Air Forces anyway..." (Jackie Cochran - Wings Across America.org)
This speech exemplifies her love and pride for these women. Cochran truly fought for her girls.
I'm very happy that we've trained a thousand women to fly the Army way...I think it's going to mean more to aviation than anyone realizes.
I'm very happy that General Arnold and General Yount that made this possible, are here for the final phase of this wonderful program ...
this program that will go down in history...not only in history, but I'm sure it's going to do something that is so vital and has been so badly needed in aviation for so many years...
and that is women's interest...and I'm sure that if there's a reason to call you girls back up after December 20, that all of you will respond and that we'll have probably 95% of you back in the Air Forces anyway..." (Jackie Cochran - Wings Across America.org)
This speech exemplifies her love and pride for these women. Cochran truly fought for her girls.