If you have a relative who served in the WAVES or the Women’s Land Army then you might have heard stories about their roles during World War II. But, many folks have never heard of these historic organizations which contributed greatly to the war effort. Between these two groups and the huge numbers of women who began working in factories, the role of women was, for a time, quite different than it had ever been before. Take a look at the ladies of the war effort in these historic photos.

Via/ Flickr

The first African American WAVES, Harriet Ida Pickens and Ens. Frances Wills, 1944. Via/ U.S. National Archives

WAVES baseball game, Florida, 1944. Via/ Flickr

WAVES mechanic working on a plane, 1942. Via/ U.S. National Archives