The Future of Women's History

The Journal of Women's History proudly cosponsors the junior division women's history prize for the National History Day competition. This year's theme was "Frontiers in History: People, Place, Ideas." The National History Day competition provides middle and high school students with opportunities to explore their creativity and to learn about history by presenting individual and group documentaries, performances, preparing exhibits, or writing papers. Participants compete for awards in a variety of categories, including two women's history prizes.

As is evident by the winning projects in this year's and last year's competition, women in World War II appears to be a captivating topic for many young women. They seem to be especially interested in women in the workforce during the war years and the continuity of their employment once the war ended.

This year, junior-division prizewinners Elizabeth Mandel and Beryl Sinclair from Applewild School in Fitchburg, Massachusetts presented an exhibit entitled "Pioneers of Production": Women Industrial Workers in World War II for which they received the Journal of Women's History-sponsored prize for women's history. What follows is an essay highlighting their research.

The Journal of Women's History extends special congratulations to these young women for their fine work and thanks the parents, students, and teachers as well as the National History Day staff whose hard work furthers knowledge of women's history.