Now on View at the California Museum: ‘Our War Too: Women in Service,’ a Special Exhibit from The National WWII Museum

SACRAMENTO, CA — February 5, 2025: The California Museum is pleased to announce the opening of Our War Too: Women in Service, a groundbreaking special exhibit from The National WWII Museum honoring the nearly 350,000 American women who answered the call to serve their country during World War II.

On view at the California Museum from February 4 to May 5, 2025, the exhibit explores these brave servicewomen’s efforts, struggles, and accomplishments, the impacts of which extend into the present day. The popular and historical narrative of American women during World War II has often focused on those who worked on the Home Front, while stories of women who volunteered for vital roles in the uniformed services have been largely underrecognized. Our War Too salutes the hundreds of thousands of women who served in the women’s component branches of the US Army, Coast Guard, Navy and Marine Corps, and with the civilian Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP), as well as the additional 73,000 women who served in the Army and the Navy Nurse Corps. 

“Our War Too is unique because it presents a history that isn’t often told,” said the exhibit’s curator, Kimberly Guise, Senior Curator and Director of Curatorial Affairs at The National WWII Museum. “We are proud to be able to share the stories of these women and how their valuable military service opened doors for the many women who came after them. I hope visitors learn something new and see something unexpected, and I hope young women in particular feel empowered by the women they see represented in this exhibit.” 

Our War Too features over 200 unique and colorful artifacts from The National WWII Museum’s collection that highlight the personal stories and motivations of individual servicewomen. The exhibit’s digital elements include an interactive scrapbook that allows visitors to explore wartime albums and memory books curated by women to remember their time in service. Film pieces examine women’s service in the war and their legacy today, featuring interviews with women who served in the footsteps of WWII volunteers. 

A standout feature of the exhibit is the interactive video stations, where cutting-edge AI technology enables visitors to hear from three WWII servicewomen in their own words. Stations feature We Were There interactive biographies of: Romay Johnson Davis, a Women’s Army Corps driver in the segregated African American 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion; Virginia Leeman Wilterdink, a US Army nurse with the 314th General Hospital Unit; and SPAR Florence Smith, a baker for the US Coast Guard Women’s Reserve. We Were There allows guests to converse with these women, drawing from extensive interviews about their lives and wartime experiences.

Our War Too: Women in Service, was developed by The National WWII Museum and is sponsored by the Gayle and Tom Benson Charitable Foundation. For more information on the exhibit, visit: CaliforniaMuseum.org/Our-War-Too

The National WWII Museum tells the story of the American experience in the war that changed the world—why it was fought, how it was won, and what it means today—so that all generations will understand the price of freedom and be inspired by what they learn. Dedicated in 2000 as The National D-Day Museum and now designated by Congress as America’s National WWII Museum, the institution celebrates the American spirit, teamwork, optimism, courage and sacrifices of the men and women who fought on the battlefront and served on the Home Front. For more information on Tripadvisor’s #1 New Orleans attraction, call 877-813-3329 or 504-528-1944 or visit nationalww2museum.org.

The California Museum—home of the California Hall of Fame—focuses on the state’s rich history, its diversity and its unique influence on the world of ideas, innovation, art and culture. Through interactive experiences, the Museum inspires visitors to make a mark on history. Located at 1020 O Street in the March Fong Eu Secretary of State complex, the Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. General admission is $8-$10. Plan a visit at CaliforniaMuseum.org. 

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