Cover Page

Preface

Introduction

Breeches, Blouses, and Skirts

Photofile

Bibliography

Notes

Appendix A

Appendix B

Appendix C

National Park Service Uniforms Breeches, Blouses, and Skirts 1918-1991	Number 4
Breeches, Blouses, and Skirts (continued)

The whole matter of women's uniforms was a very "controversial subject", with every one having their own ideas as to what form it should take. Some didn't like the shirt (the style worn by men) and thought that a sports blouse should be substituted instead. Others believed that the hat should be omitted, or at least changed.

Since the whole matter of women's uniforms pertained to women it was decided that a committee of women should be set up to decide the issue. Consequently, on October 20, 1941, Jean McWhirt Pinkley (Frank "Boss" Pinkley's daughter-in-law), Junior Park Archaeologist (seasonal) at Mesa Verde National Park was appointed Chair, along with Myra Appell, Registered Nurse, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, both in Region III, and Gertrude S. Cooper, Superintendent, Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site, (first female superintendent of a national park) and Mariana D. Bagley, Assistant Historical Aide, Colonial National Historical Park, of Region I as members of the committee. Women from Regions II and IV were omitted since there were no women in these regions required to wear the uniform. [8]

Aztec Ruins National Monument, New Mexico, June 13, 1940. Left to Right: Homer Hastings, Georgia Akers, Stanley Milford, Joyce Chubb, Thomas C. Miller (Custodian), Zelda Mae Abrams. NPSHPC-George A. Grant Photo-AZRU#209

Jean W. Pinkley, c. 1940s. Pinkley, the daughter-in-law of "Boss" Pinkley, became a noted National Park Service interpreter and archeologist. She is shown here as part of the uniformed staff at Mesa Verde National Park. NPSHPC/HFC#94-497

The December 7, 1941, Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and the resulting General Conservation Order M-73-a, which reserved wool cloth for military uniforms, halted all further speculation in Park Service uniforms, women's, as well as men's.

Things remained "status quo" for the next year or so. In the meantime, Fechheimer intervened with the War Production Board, on behalf of the National Park Service and obtained a dispensation for uniform material on the basis that the Service was an essential Government agency.

When Order M-73-a initially came down, Director Newton Drury, on the recommendation of Uniform Committee Chairman John C. Preston, proclaimed the National Park Service would do its "bit" toward the war effort and made the field jacket and trousers the standard apparel for ranger wear for the duration, since they required less material to make. Those with coats could still wear them as long as they were serviceable and in good repair. New coats could be purchased as long as existing material lasted at the suppliers. Even after Fechheimer's "slight of hand" artifice, the Service still maintained the jacket status, but in reality, it was left up to the individual rangers whether or not to comply since the material was available.

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Last Modified: Wed, Dec 20 2000 11:30:00 pm PDT
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