he gets the telegraph from grant and decides at that moment to go and buy 11:00 he's on a train to annapolis. his secretary -- nobody knows that he has even left. so it's kind of a wonderful anecdote about john mcerlane who was his principal secretary. he is sitting in the office that had joined lincoln's office and one that his assistance comes in and says, you know, where has the president gone? he said what you mean, the president is right on the other side of this door. he said no, he's not. i just saw him leave the white house. so he stands up, opens the door and he is astounded to find lincoln. the other thing that happened is that the senate and the mayor and maryland legislature was debated on the 13th amendment, which was of course the

amendment to abolish slavery. it had been brought to annapolis on the previous day, one day earlier by lincoln's secretary of state william seward. .. decided to discuss the eradication of the amendment, and so they were discussing it, deliberating over it.

the next day when lincoln walked within sight of the state help -- state house for that amendment was under consideration. when lincoln came back a little after 7:00 a.m. on february the fourth at the naval academy, and this time because now they -- you know, it is well known, and the is down here, that he would be returning. used to have a train actually meet to map the war so that they did not have to do any myelin have rocked -- walk on the return trip. they stepped off the boat, on the train, and were back in washington by 9:00 a.m. the most interesting thing about it is to have him one by a state capital where that is under consideration having passed the united states congress only two days earlier. i think that is, to me, just an amazing image. and he knew it, too. he knew that it was up there, and he knew that they were debating. but he did not stop and say anything. he let it be and walked by.

>> for more affirmation on this and other cities visited by c-span local content vehicles visit c-span.org / local content. >> from the 2013 roosevelt reading festival double victory, how african-american women broke race and gender barriers to help win world war ii. this is about half an hour and starts now on book tv. >> my name is jeffrey urban, and the education specialist. on behalf of the franklin d. roosevelt presidential library and museum, would like to welcome all of you here in our audience than those of you that are watching and, on c-span to the tenth annual roosevelt reading festival. franklin roosevelt planned for the library to become the

premier research institution for the steadying of the entire roosevelt era. the library research room is consistently one of the busiest of all the presidential libraries, and this year's group of authors reflects a wide variety of research that is done here. at me quickly go over the format for the festival's concurrent sessions. the top of each hour session begins with a 30-minute opera talk followed by a 10-minute question and answer session and then we will wrap up after that. in the authors will move to the tables in the lobby outside of the new deal store where you can purchase their books and have the author simon. the top of the our the process repeats itself. today's attendees can go to the new museum and take a look at the wonderful new exhibit that we have there with all local red admonished to five admission bunt. if you want to ask a question to come up to the microphone we will have the questions and answers from there. now it is my pleasure to introduce cheryl mullenbach who is the author of "double victory: how african american

women brok race and gender barriers to help win world war ii". and that book came out this year. she is a former high-school history teacher and state education department consultant. in addition, as a project manager at a statewide public television station she oversaw production of educational multimedia resources. she has edited and written for a variety of publications, including arizona living magazine, independent newspapers, and leisure world news. cheryl mullenbach has contributed several entries to an encyclopedia american women at work, and her eyes to five per article titled the election of julia addington, an accidental milestone and all -- i will politics and cover the story of an iowa woman who is believed to be the first woman elected to public office in the united states. it is my great pleasure to introduce cheryl. [applause] >> it is a great honor to be part of the 2013 roosevelt

reading said -- reading festival today. for anyone who loves history is expert tight -- exciting to spend time and a presidential library and museum. for a lifetime admirer of roosevelt it is especially gratifying to be here and i part . gives me the opportunity to introduce the stories of some individuals who, like the roosevelts, it showed courage and determination as they fought to overcome fascism and nazism to make the world safe for democracy. they did it with perseverance, resolve, and stubborn resistance , often with grace, dignity under unimaginable pressure. but unlike the roosevelts, the experiences of these african-american women's were generally ignored during the warriors and largely forgotten by the time we realized time was running out to collect the fading memories of that generation. many americans showed courage and great during those

war-years. they worked in factories, volunteered in scrapped drives, gave blood to the red cross, and many joined the armed forces. some of them might have been your parents or grandparents. despite their eagerness to become involved in the war effort many women had to overcome gender issues as they tried to do airport. but african american women faced double barriers. because of there gender and their race. as african american women applied for jobs at war plants, they were reminded time and again that they were not welcome , if not because of there gender because of the color of their skin. when some african american women tried to register with an employment agency in the nation's capital in 1942 they were told that the agency had not yet started taking in negro women. when the a couple of african-american women responded to an ad for civilian physicians

at an army camp in 1942 they received letters telling them to report to work. when they arrived at the facility, they were told negro's cannot be accepted. the commanding officer at the camp told them that it was not known when the letters were sent, but the recipients were black. although they had passed government tests as machine operators she explained negro's cannot be used in such a capacity. in 1943, an east coast were plant explained why managers could not hire african american women who had applied for jobs. the work required the handling of small mechanisms, and all of the black women had sweaty hands. and in 1943, a spokesperson at a baltimore war plan to told black women who have applied for work that colored women just do not have the native intelligence

necessary to do highly skilled work. all of these companies that advertised their urgent need for workers. many were benefiting from huge government contracts. confronted with some -- such stark racism, it would have been understandable if these women had given up, but thousands of african-american women refused to let racism and discrimination keep them from serving their country in a time of need. one woman got a job as an inspector at an arsenal and pennsylvania. eller hunter left her position in taxes and secured a job in a california plant that built warships. in chicago that went to work for the illinois central railroad as section ends cannot shoveling senders and swung picks. betty murphy phillips was a

journalist working for the family newspaper, the baltimore afro-american. she became the first black female overseas work correspondent when she traveled to europe in 1944. after getting sick, she reported from her hospital bed as black soldiers can tear bedside to tell their stores. will brown held a commercial pilot's license and a master mechanic certificate. you can imagine how unusual that was a late 30's. she taught aviation glasses for the new deal wpa, works progress administration with her husband establishing their coffee school of aeronautics and chicago. at the school that trained pilots. the school was open to men of any race, and men who completed training to take the exam to qualify for training as pilots with the u.s. army air forces at

tuskegee. even some of the instructors had been trained at willis school, many like her. none of these women lead discrimination stand in the way when their country sent out the call for war workers. as fewer men were available to fill jobs in war-related industries, opportunities opened up for women. these african american women as well as many others like them more willing and able to step out. at the same can be said about service in the armed forces. in 1942, when the women's army auxiliary corps was established black women fought to be included. partly because of her close relationship with eleanor roosevelt, african-american women were included. the government used a quota system to limit the numbers of black women. it was estimated that 10 percent

of the u.s. population was black the time. the number of african-american women allowed was limited to 10% . some newspaper reporters referred to them as the ten percenters. as the first class of 439 female officer candid it's began to arrive at the training center in fort do more in iowa in july july 1942 the commanding officer issued his first directive. well all the colored curls move over on this side? this set the stage where the 39 african american women who had come from across the country. most of whom more college graduates. a podiatrist from new york, a school superintendent from alabama, a graduate of the new england conservatory of music.

this first class of officer candid it's met with discrimination throughout their success returning. it started the first dead. the african-american women were housed at building 54, segregated from the white bracts , and as they entered the mess hall for their first meal it was clear that they would eat away from the white racks to. a sign with the word colored had been placed over table in the corner. this prompted their first but not last active resistance. that first meal they sat at the designated table when they. when they arrived the second day they sat at the table marked colored and turned their plates over, refusing see. when they arrived for meals the third day the sign had been shortened to foresees. again they turn the place over

and refused to eat. within one week of the size of disappeared. they were allowed to use the camp swimming pool. only one hour per week on friday night. the pool was drained and terrified after the black racks used it before it would be used to the next day by the way women anyone in new the army way of life may have thought the cleansing of the pool was just the army's obsession with order in clemens, but the african americans knew it was more, intentional. thousands of african-american women served in the military during the war. the first twins were from texas. heal by -- o'brien family of georgia tennant -- said three daughters and a service. mary from illinois was the first african-american grandmother.

she was the granddaughter of a veteran of the civil war, and her dad fought in the great war. after basic training, as the move in the field assignments that worked as typists, librarians, medical technicians, photographers, and mechanics. many african-american women served in arizona where they held a variety of positions. a cartographer and blueprint technician. a cosmetologist and civilian life was a pushover for the fourth officers. she also maintained military vehicles, maneuvering trucks and tanks and repairing engines. a chemist who had one of the most important jobs of the base. she worked in the sewage disposal plant where it was our duty to prevent others skipping the planned. consuela bland, an accomplished

soprano in civilian life was a mail clerk, one of the postal packing mama's as there were lovingly call by of the male soldiers. african american nurses travel to all corners of the world to serve the country. they usually served in segregated units from the black nurses caring only for black soldiers, but they served in africa, england, the china-burma india theater in the pacific. in liberia army nurse cme rice and her fellow nurses treated patients at the 25th station hospital. prudence burns was a surgical nurse in new guinea in the philippines. before she left the philippines she and her fiance wanted to get married, so her fellow nurses not having any fabric for a wedding dress used silk from a parachute to make the wedding dress for her.

darrell foster was among a group of nurses who served in a hospital in the clouds at the all blacks taft 335th station hospital in that china and burma and india theater. before they could treat patients the nurses help set up a hospital, installing a water system and the drainage system. in england african-american mayors is killed for injured not see pows. some believed the black nurses were intentionally assigned to pows, a job and other nurses did not one. during the world war ii years generally the site of a military uniform commanded respect and special treatment, but there was not always the case, especially when the uniform was won by a black woman. louis miller had been serving overseas with a black person minute -- unit. she traveled back to our harmony and states and experienced

firsthand the insults of racism. her army uniform did not shelter . during a layover at an airport coffee shop she was told she could be but only in the back of the room. police said she left the shop without being served because in her words, i know that i could be lynched in the u.s. uniform as well as a man in overalls. her experiences with racism did not end of the terminal or. just as she settled into her seat on the plan for the next lighter for trip the flight attendant asked her to move to another seat. a white passenger next to her did not want to set baxter. volunteerism was a big part of the war effort. hundreds of organizations existed to provide services to military personnel and to their families and communities across country. some offer civil defense glasses

or conducted scrap drives. usually they groups were segregated by race. when black women were denied access to white organizations they sometimes form their own groups. there was the american women's volunteer service, the aw etf. there were chapters all across the country. and in 1942, the loss angeles chapter sponsored a boxing match between one cities and triple titleholder and a hurricane and hank armstrong. there is to for $4,000 for the cost. the women's ambulance defense corps of america, the wac dca was another. they had 54 chapters across the country. it included motorcycle and cavalier units, military trained and they jiujitsu. they're not as the glory gals, and the motto was the hell we

can't. the red cross offered opportunities for civilians to volunteer for the war effort. the group organized blood drives and a trained nurse aides and ran clubs where members of the armed forces could relax and socialized, both in the united states and overseas. african-american women serve varices with the red cross round go. helen dixon payne calls this sensation when she reported for duty along the highway in march march 1943. hazel was an assistant director of our red cross club, assistant because women could not be directors can only men could be directors. she worked in the wake krauss club. the only one, and is served the 905th engineers, that group of engineers who built the highway across canada and alaska.

when she arrived, she was greeted by 1300 black soldiers. they had not seen many women in the year and a half in the on the job, and she was the first black woman in scene and all that time. grace how long was one of four african-american women who arrived in australia in august august 1943. they operated the dr. carver rick cross club. panera wells operated the club in new guinea where she described a typical day as far from glamorous. no time for breakfast, no coffee , and juice, no ice, no bath, no mouthwash, plenty of bands in the skills and, thankfully, plenty of deodorant from home. katie was the only woman with 10,000 men and all bay where she operated a red cross establishment called club paradise.

she was known as having a knack for locating scarce supplies like as cream and jam, ts, chess sets, paper cups, and even circus tents. geneva homes ran a club in england for black soldiers who had participated in the day. after the liberation of france she set off for paris to set up a red cross, there. lavern lee was our red cross workers stationed at a club in india in 1945. calcutta was a place for rest and relaxation for black and white soldiers. the army had build a new swimming pool for soldiers and rick cross workers to use. a grand opening celebration was planned for july 4th for white personnel and a separate for black personnel on july 3rd. the black troops and red cross workers led decided to boycott

the july 3rd party. she wrote to the red cross headquarters, july 4th is a day long honored and respected by negro's as will as of americans for significance to democracy and the principles on which our government was founded such a day of celebration involving americans anywhere on the face of the glow becomes an insult to whenever minority group is excluded from participation. african-american entertainers and movie stars did their part for the war effort, just as their white counterparts did, but they faced unique obstacles. no matter how successful they were, african-american entertainers were not immune to racism. acclaim as a broadway performer in a hollywood film star gained popularity combining her training as a classical pianist with her love of jazz.

traveling by car through the midwest in 1945, she stopped at a cafe along the way. when she went to the counter and ask for servers the waitress said, you live to eat in the kitchen. i'm sorry. i don't eat in kitchens commands a replied. when hazel asked if she could give some sandwiches to take out she was told she could, but that she could not stand the counter to wait for them. later someone asked why she did not identify herself to the cafe workers. surely she would have been served if they had known and she was. basil explained, i don't want any special privileges. there are 13 million hazels counts of america. they just don't play the piano. like when our entertain -- entertained the troops around the states and the glow. many were part of u.s. as with most areas of society in the 1940's, the shows are segregated.

black entertainers perform for black audiences. alberta hunter touring with u.s. and oceans made a name for yourself as the gal who set to come in so far. she performed in india and in the jungles of burma. in may, 1945, when general eisenhower and the allied military leaders are meeting in defeated germany to discuss postwar europe he invited alberta is u.s. no-show to perform for the officials, and it was reported that i sang along with alberta and she performed one song after another . the international sweethearts of rhythm was a cruel ban that travel around the country and their boss, big bertha. it was difficult for the black members to find slid the accommodation, so it was easier to sleep in the bus. another problem that they faced was that white band members performed onstage with black members, something that was against the law in the jim crow south.

so white members wore dark makeup and permed hair here to pass for blacks. toward the end of the war the sweethearts perform for troops in europe and refreshingly had no problems of race. lena horne performed with the uso during the war. when she prepared to step on stage for a show in the southern state she asks someone why there were no black soldiers in the audience. she was told she would sing for them the next day in a separate show. the next day as she prepared to step on the stage to perform she saw the black soldiers sitting in the backrooms and white man in the front seats. now, who the hell i they, she asked. german pows, shoes told. she walked down off the stage to the back row and performed facing the black soldiers with her back to the german parent of

these. this summer will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the march on washington. we generally think of the 1960's as the beginning of the civil-rights movement. however, the changes that came about in the 1960's may not have happened and without the efforts of some determined african-american women in the 1940's. another march on washington was planned in 1941. it was led by a. philip randolph with the help of two women named later the lane and pauline meyers. philip randolph called for the african americans to come to the nation's capital on july 1st to draw attention to discrimination in hiring practices in the military. the march never took place because president roosevelt signed executive order 8802

which bans discrimination in the employment of workers in defense industries and governments. the march on washington movement was established then to continue to fight for equality for african-americans. it was organized lawyer's plea by three women. they developed a slogan from the movement. non-violent, goodwill, direct action. in other words, they cursed african-americans to resist discrimination by direct action taken with goodwill in mind in a non-violent manner. they planned mass protests of the unit states from 1942 and 1943. the march on washington movement trained people to participate in pickets and praise in non-violence waste and taught them how to remain quiet when

being insulted, how to endure physical assault without striking back. howard university law student pauli murray led to sit in some restaurants in washington d.c. sit in some restaurants in san louis insurer pearl. some of the banners that the participants in those sad and scared -- kerry is a march in front, our boys, or bonds, our brothers are fighting for you. why can't we here? and we got together, why can't we together to back another one, and not to spoil it knows no prejudice. happy duval was one of those women who was involved in a protest in st. louis. she carried a sign that said, i invested five sons in the service. these women lay the foundation for the civil rights movement of the 60's. they and many other african-american women believed

there was no better time to demand equality. the world was of war to defeat fascism. black men and women are risking their lives and dangerous war-torn countries. some gave their life for a country that denied the basic rights. what better time to demand an end to racism. double victory signifies the struggle of african-americans who were fighting for victory over fascism and for victory over discrimination at home during the war years. of the term also took on meeting for african-american women who fought for victory over sexism and racism. over the past 70 years reworked to recognize the heroes of world war ii, their stories of careers and sacrifice of been told and preserve for future generations. many of the contributions of african-american women who brokerage repaired barriers and ordered to serve their country have not been celebrated. my hope in writing about the