A new exhibit at the MAPS Air Museum in Green celebrates the contributions of women aiding in America’s World War II fight. Among those featured in Military Mapping Maidens is 100-year-old Hartville resident and Kent State University alum Bea Shaheen McPherson who drew maps by hand for battlefield intelligence.
Michelle Reid developed the exhibit. She says McPherson stood with other women at large drafting tables during their 10-hour shifts.
“Four women would be working, one on each of the four sides of this map board with two male overseers or bosses sort of guiding their work, telling them where to put features," Reid said. "And of course it was a very large operation. There were women in research, there were women in drafting.”
The exhibit includes photographs and artifacts highlighting the work of the 224 women who were recruited by the Army Map Service.
Military Mapping Maidens will be on display at the MAPS Air Museum through August 5.
