Lakehead University Knowledge Commons,http://knowledgecommons.lakeheadu.ca Electronic Theses and Dissertations Retrospective theses 1999 Hemlines and hairdos : body management for the feminine ideal in the Canadian Women's Army Corps Davidson, Tina Marie http://knowledgecommons.lakeheadu.ca/handle/2453/3095 Downloaded from Lakehead University, KnowledgeCommons INFORMATION TO USERS This manuscript has bean raproducad from the microfilm master. UMI films the text directly from the original or copy sutxnitled. Thus, some thesis and dissertation copies are in typewriter face, while others may tw from any type of computer printer. The quality of this reproduction Is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bieedthrough, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely affact reproduction. 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Further reproduction prohibited without permission. NOTE TO USERS This reproduction is the best copy availabie. UMI Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. I ReproducedReproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Hemlines and Hairdos: Body Management for the Feminine Ideal in the Canadian Women’s Army Corps A thesis submitted to: Lakehead University Faculty of Arts and Sciences Department of History in partial fulfilment of the program requirements for the degree of Master of Arts Tina Davidson^ Thunder Bay, Ontario 1999 i % I Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. National Library Bibliothèque rationale I# l of Canada du Canada Acquisitions and Acquisitions et Bibliographic Services services bibliographiques 38SW«NingionStrwt 395, rua Wellington OSm m ON K1A0N4 Ottawa ON K1A0N4 Canada Canada Yaurim Vomi*>énne» O urH t Noum M in n c Ê The author has granted a non­ L’auteur a accordé une Ucence non exclusive licence allowmg the exclusive permettant à la National Library o f Canada to Bibliothèque nationale du Canada de reproduce, loan, distribute or sell reproduire, prêter, distribuer ou copies o f this thesis in microform, vendre des copies de cette thèse sous paper or electronic formats. la forme de microfîche/fîlm, de reproduction sur papier ou sur format électronique. The author retains ownership of the L’ auteur conserve la propriété du copyright in this thesis. Neidier the droit d’ auteur qui protège cette thèse. thesis nor substantial extracts from it N i la thèse ni des extraits substantiels may be printed or otherwise de celle-ci ne doivent être imprimés reproduced without the author’s ou autrement reproduits sans son permission. autorisation. 0-612-52047-1 CanadS & Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Table of Contants List of Appendices................................................................................................................. il Acknowledgements............................................................................................................... Ill Introduction...........................................................................................................................1 Chapter 1 : 'The Army will make a man out of you': The incompatibility of constructions of soldiering and femininity in Western cultural traditions............................................................................. 22 Chapter 2: They haven't forgotten dancing, perfume, moonlight ...and men": The feminine ideal and the CWAC in Canadian mass-circulating magazines................................................................ 53 Chapter 3: "The girls behind the boys behind the guns”: Constructions of femininity and respectability in recruitment propaganda................................................................................. 83 Chapter 4: "When you go out, remember you’re a lady”: Maintaining the feminine ideal from within............................................................................................................................... 123 Chapter 5: "Soon the skirts will be flirts once again”: Conflicting messages concerning the sexual representations and sexual behaviours of Cwacs................................................................... 163 Conclusion....................................................................................................................... 204 Appendices...................................................................................................................... 212 Bibliography......................................................................................................................233 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. L ist o f Appendices Appendix 2.1 Modess advertisement. Maclean's............................................................. 212 Appendix 2.2 Du Barry advertisement, Saturday Night.................................................... 213 Appendix 2.3 Elizabeth Arden advertisements, Saturday Night..........................................214 Appendix 3.1 Women in Khaki, recruitment pamphlet, 1942.............................................. 215 Appendix 3.2 CWAC Digest: Facts about the CWAC, recruitment pamphlet, 1943.............. 216 Appendix 3.3 Fifty Questions and Answers about CWAC, recruitment pamphlet, 1944....... 217 Appendix 3.4 "I'm proud of you, daughter," recruitment propaganda, Maclean's................. 218 Appendix 3.5 "Christmas over there!" recruitment propaganda, Maclean's........................ 219 Appendix 3.6 "Back the invasion," recruitment propaganda, Maclean's............................. 220 Appendix 4.1 Khald cover page....................................................................................... 221 Appendix 4.2 "What's in a name".................................................................................... 222 Appendix 4.3 Diversity of Cwacs' body sizes.................................................................... 223 Appendix 4.4 "Look your best"........................................................................................224 Appendix 4.5 Cwacs' hairdos..........................................................................................225 Appendix 4.6 Lingerie..................................................................................................... 226 Appendix 4.7 Cosmetics................................................................................................. 227 Appendix 4.8 Cwacs' incompetence................................................................................ 228 Appendix 5.1 Cwacs on dates......................................................................................... 229 Appendix 5.2 Sexualized images of Cwacs in comics....................................................... 230 Appendix 5.3 Khaki Hollywood pin-up contest.................................................................. 231 Appendix 5.4 "Pin-ups in Khaki"...................................................................................... 232 I Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Acknowledgements Numerous individuels have contributed to the writing of this thesis. First I would like to thank the members of my thesis committee, Helen Smith and Pam Wakewich at Lakehead University, and Ruth Roach Pierson at OISE/UT, fo r their detailed critiques and editorial comments from which I have benefited enoimously. For encouraging interest in my work and for helpful criticism of the thesis in various draft stages, I acknowledge the contributions of Maureen Ford, Lisa Richardson, and Emie Epp at Lakehead University. I am indebted to the Thunder Bay Military Museum Archives for lending me several original copies of the primary source documents that inspired much of this thesis. I am exceedingly grateful for the support of my mother, Cindy Farrington; my brother, Jeff Davidson; and my 'second' family, the Weldons. Their acceptance of my choices and affirmation of my goals has been essential to the completion of this thesis. Finally, for invaluable assistance with the mechanical process of researching and writing, as well as fo r friendship and emotional support, I thank Mary Maurice, Cheryl Weldon, and Sherry Harbum. You have challenged me with your conversation and ideas, and encouraged me in ways