Women and Minorities in WWII

The chapter discusses the role of women, especially African American women, in the workforce during WWII. It highlights the NACA's mission to develop advanced airplanes and the significant contributions of female mathematicians at Langley. The chapter also covers the desegregation efforts that opened new opportunities for African Americans, emphasizing the challenges and triumphs faced by these women.

What is the main theme introduced at the beginning of Chapter 2?

• The impact of global warming

• The role of technology in modern society

• The transformative power of ordinary individuals

• The importance of teamwork

What prompted employers to start hiring women for roles traditionally held by men during WWII?

• A decline in the economy

• The invention of new technologies

• A new government policy promoting gender equality

• A shortage of male workers due to military service

What was the primary mission of the NACA during WWII?

• To build ships for the navy

• To design new types of weapons

• To train pilots for combat

• To develop the most powerful and efficient airplanes

How did the engineers at Langley test airplane designs?

• By creating wind tunnels to simulate flight conditions

• By using computer simulations

• By conducting field tests in different weather conditions

• By using virtual reality technology

What was the role of female mathematicians at Langley during the 1940s?

• They conducted flight tests

• They were responsible for designing aircraft

• They managed the laboratory's finances

• They performed computations to process test data

Why were female mathematicians at Langley referred to as 'computers'?

• They performed manual calculations

• They were responsible for programming software

• They managed computer networks

• They operated early computer machines

What was the significance of the executive order signed by President Roosevelt?

• It provided funding for new research projects

• It mandated equal pay for all employees

• It ordered the desegregation of the federal government and defense industry

• It established a new department for civil rights

How did the Langley staff prepare for the arrival of African American mathematicians?

• By organizing welcome events

• By providing additional training

• By increasing security measures

• By creating separate facilities for them

What challenges did African American mathematicians face at Langley?

• Segregation in facilities and workspaces

• Limited opportunities for advancement

• All of the above

• Lack of access to necessary resources

What opportunities did the executive order create for African Americans during the war?

• Opportunities to work in the entertainment industry

• Opportunities to work alongside white employees in war-related jobs

• Opportunities to travel abroad

• Opportunities to start their own businesses