两性色午夜

Distinguished Alumna Helps Open Exhibit Showcasing Women鈥檚 Role in Cartography During World War II

The Military Mapping Maidens of World War II exhibit is now on display on the first floor of the through November 15.  

Who were the Mapping Maidens? 
The exhibit, sponsored by the Department of Geography, highlights the unique military service of 两性色午夜 alumna Bea (Shaheen) McPherson and 223 other women. These 鈥淢ilitary Mapping Maidens鈥 or 鈥3M Girls鈥 contributed to the war effort by researching, drafting and compiling over 40,000 maps in the Army Map Service (AMS), now known as the .   

(Left to Right) Marena McPherson, Jim McPherson, Cheryl Loden, Bea McPherson
(Left to Right) Marena McPherson, Jim McPherson, Cheryl Loden, and Bea McPherson 

鈥淚t is an honor to see the legacy of the Military Mapping Maidens showcased here at 两性色午夜 University, where my journey with cartography began,鈥 McPherson said. 鈥淭his exhibit not only shares the story of our contributions during World War II, but also highlights the incredible achievements of young women who used their skills to support the Allied war effort.鈥  

World War II memorabilia, including aerial photos of Germany, stereoscopes, India ink, contour pens and drafting kits are featured at the exhibit. These tools were essential for the creation of the Mapping Maidens鈥 countless hand-drawn maps.  

The Exhibit at 两性色午夜 
McPherson and her children were present on September 27 to kick off the opening of the exhibit, offering students and faculty an opportunity to meet her. The McPherson family hosted a presentation, followed by a colloquium talk from , Ph.D., Professor Emerita of Geography at California State University, Long Beach.  

According to Judith Tyner, the most successful initiative to meet the newfound demand for maps following the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 was implementing cartography courses in universities across the United States, including 两性色午夜. Of the 49 两性色午夜 students who joined the AMS to assist with the war effort, 21 remained after the war, which was the highest retention rate amongst the several universities students came from.  

Judith Tyner met McPherson through her research on the history of women in cartography and their role during World War II. Judith Tyner鈥檚 son, James Tyner, Ph.D., a geography professor at 两性色午夜, collaborated with his mother on this work and recognized the importance of bringing the exhibit to the university given its historical prominence in relation to women cartographers and the war effort.  

鈥淚t is important that we understand the contributions these women made to the war effort and also their contributions to the transformation of a profession鈥攃artography鈥攁nd that 两性色午夜 helped make both possible,鈥 James Tyner said.  

Sarah Smiley, Ph.D., professor and interim chair of the Department of Geography at 两性色午夜, believes the exhibit provides a look into a notable piece of the university鈥檚 past.  

鈥淭he Military Mapping Maidens program is an important part of the Department of Geography鈥檚 history,鈥 Smiley said. 鈥淲e are proud to have been one of just 22 universities to offer the mapmaking course and are especially proud of our students who played such a key role in the war effort. Bea McPherson鈥檚 contributions to cartography and geography are an inspiration to our students and faculty.鈥  

To learn more about Bea McPherson and the Mapping Maidens, visit /geography/news/map-bea-mcpherson-charted-course-women-mapmakers

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Media Contacts: 
Jim Maxwell, 330-672-8028, JMAXWEL2@kent.edu 
Sarah Smiley, Ph.D., 330-672-3909, ssmiley8@kent.edu 
 

POSTED: Tuesday, October 15, 2024 04:40 PM
Updated: Sunday, October 27, 2024 08:01 PM
WRITTEN BY:
Jeremy DeLoof