Session 16

Women of Pearl Harbor

Often neglected in history are the perspectives of women in major historical events. This has certainly been the case in the recollections of the Pearl Harbor attack. This panel shared the perspectives of women who were children at the time and those who served as nurses. The testimonies of these individuals gave viewers a glimpse of what the experience was for the women of Pearl Harbor.

 

Speakers: Dorinda Nicholson, Author and Survivor - She was a nine-year-old girl who witnessed the Pearl Harbor attack from her home in Pearl City. She would later write about that experience in her book Pearl Harbor Child.

Joan Rodby, Survivor - Joan Rodby was a young girl living in the shadow of Diamond Crater. She witnessed the attack on Pearl Harbor from her home and wondered why her parents were so concerned. She spent the war years growing up quickly and learning to use a gas mask and respond to air raid drills.

Pat Thompson, Survivor - This ten-year-old girl found herself attending the Battle of Music on the night before the Pearl Harbor attack. She loved to dance and that night participated in the jitterbug contest with a sailor named Jack Evans from the USS Tennessee. Just prior to the 60 th anniversary, Pat began the search to locate her former dance partner and found that he was living just a few miles from her home in San Diego. They were reunited at the anniversary and danced together once again.

Anna Busby, US Army Nurse - In 1939, Anna Busby joined the US Army Nurse Corps. On December 7 th, she had just finished breakfast when she heard a terrible noise. Running outside, she saw black smoke spiraling into the sky. She got word that the Japanese were bombing Pearl Harbor. Anna put on her uniform and reported for duty at Tripler General Hospital. On this 65 th anniversary, she is 94 years young.

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