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Vickie L. Riggan Papers

Dates

1941-1997

Creator

Riggan, Vickie L.

Summary/Abstract

These materials were collected by Vickie L. Riggan as part of her research interest in World War II American women in uniform. These papers are not only demonstrative of female involvement in World War II, but also the manifestation of the war in American culture as well.

Quantity/Physical Description

Approximately 8.0 linear feet

Language(s)

English

Repository

Albert Gore Research Center, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN 37132, (615) 898-2632

Restrictions on Access

None

Copyright

It is presumed that corporate and individual copyrights in manuscripts, photographs, and other materials have been retained by the copyright owners. Copyright restrictions apply. Users of materials should seek necessary permissions from the copyright hold

Preferred Citation

(Box Number, Folder Number), Collection Name, Albert Gore Research Center, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Acquisition

Vickie L. Riggan, 2002.

Processed By

Original processor undetermined

Arrangement

These papers are arranged into eight series: Advertisements, Audio/Visual, Ephemera, Music, Newsletters, Periodicals, Publications, and Recruitment. Series, with the exception of Ephemera, Publications and Recruitment, are arranged alphabetically. These s

Biographical Note

Vickie L. Riggan lives in Nashville, Tennessee and is a researcher of World War II women in uniform.  She has written several essays on the topic. One essay is entitled "American Women in the United States Military During World War II."  Another essay she has written is entitled "Dress Right Dress: The Impact of Public Opinion on the Development of Women's Uniforms in the United States Military." Besides writing various essays, Riggan has collected a large assortment of materials such as magazine covers, postcards, photographs and other memorabilia that depict American women in uniform.

Scope and Content

Vickie L. Riggan donated her collection to the Albert Gore Research Center at Middle Tennessee State University in the fall of 2002. Documents primarily covering the period from 1941 to 1997 and relating to women soldiers during World War II comprise the 8.0 linear foot collection. The Vickie L. Riggan Collection includes history essays written by Riggan; books related to World War II and American women in uniform; magazine covers and product advertisements dating from the 1940s; movie posters from the 1940s; songbooks; recruiting posters; war and soldier memorabilia; and audio/visual materials. There are also photographs of various female soldiers that were collected by Riggan.   Series 1: Advertisements (9 folders) Most of these advertisements were featured in magazines and feature different aspects of advertising in support of the war effort.  Many of the items not only depict a product, but also offer a message for wartime conservation or serve as subtle encouragement to enlist in the military.  Some of the major products in this series are Coca-Cola, and Camel and Chesterfield cigarettes.   Series 2: Audio/Visual (28 items) This series primarily consists of oral histories given by former WWII female soldiers, either on audio or on video. However, there are also some audio recordings from the 1940s.   Series 3: Ephemera (18 folders, 17 items) Various memorabilia and miscellaneous items in this series provide examples of material culture from the WWII era. This series spans both artifacts from women and men in military service to the Home Front.   Series 4: Music (3 folders) This series consists of sheet music and songbooks from the WWII era.  Many of these are songs from popular musicals of the day.   Series 5: Newsletters (5 folders) Most of these newsletters were circulated within the military during WWII.  Several focus exclusively on women in the military, while others are military wide.   Series 6: Periodicals (25 folders) The vast majority of these items are magazines from the 40s covering different aspects of either the war or life on the home front.  A few of the periodicals are from later in time and contain retrospectives on WWII.   Series 7: Publications (30 folders) The Publications series primarily consists of books.  Some are from the 1940s, while others are retrospectives on different aspects of WWII.  All of the books relate to either female soldiers or the war effort.  Of particular interest is an aviation instruction manual and the homework completed by a WAVE, official issue WAVE and WAC books, and an edition of Etiquette by Emily Post with a special wartime supplement. There are also reports of various kinds in this series, including two research papers written by Vickie Riggan, and several official military reports.   Series 8: Recruitment (5 folders, 1 item) Nearly all items in this series are original documents, with one set of reproduction recruitment posters being the exception.  Primarily these are recruitment posters, but there are also forms and other recruitment materials from WWII.  

Associated Materials

None

Related Collections

Middle Tennessee Oral History Project

Subject Terms

Persons/Families

Riggan, Vickie L.

Organizations/Corporate Names

Places

Subjects (General)

Women,World War II

Occupations

Material Types

Advertisements,Publications,Printed Materials,Audio Tapes,Video Tapes,Posters, Papers, Periodicals, Newsletters, Sheet Music, Songbooks, Memorabilia, Oral Histories