An image of a female codebreaker attempting to crack the enigma machine. [2]
Lack of Recognition
In an idealistic world, the triumph of the female code breakers would have permanently broken social boundaries for all women in the technology industry. Alas, the majority of these women were forced back into their old way of life after the war.
Ann White, a senior American female codebreaker, stated that “never in my life since have I felt as challenged as during that period. . . . When the needs of society and the needs of an individual come together, we were fulfilled.” [1]
A female codebreaker from Bletchley Park. [3]
Another image of a female codebreaker attempting to crack the enigma machine. [4]
While the female codebreakers’ groundbreaking discoveries significantly expedited the end to one of the bloodiest wars in global history, they did not receive recognition for their work until 2009. The media perpetuated the image of codebreaking as a male endeavor. In reality, females made up seventy five percent of the codebreaking workforce, until many lost their positions after the war, due to the systemic sexism embedded in America’s history. [5]
Says one particular female codebreaker, in an interview with Tessa Dunlop,“I am proud of what we did. But did we feel appreciated? Well, you didn’t think much about that in those days. There was a war on. You never thought whether you were happy doing it – you just got on with your job.” [6]
Footnotes:
1. Baraniuk, Chris. "The female code-breakers who were left out of history books." BBC. Last modified October 9, 2017. Accessed February 2, 2020. https://www.bbc.com/future/article/
2. Isabel Angell, "The Hidden Female Codebreakers of World War II," The Takeaway, last modified October 10, 2017, accessed February 2, 2020, https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/takeaway/segments/remembering-women-who-helped-crack-japanese-code.
3. Angell, "The Hidden," The Takeaway.
4. Angell, "The Hidden," The Takeaway.
5. Showalter, Elaine. "The brilliance of the women code breakers of World War II." The Washington Post. Last modified October 6, 2017. Accessed February 2, 2020. http://The brilliance of the women code breakers of World War II.
6. Baraniuk, Chris. "The female code-breakers who were left out of history books."BBC. Last modified October 9, 2017. Accessed February 2, 2020. https://www.bbc.com/future/article/