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The History List

"She's a W.O.W." Shirt

"She's a W.O.W." Shirt

Regular price $ 32.95
Regular price Sale price $ 32.95
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Based on a historical poster recruiting women for the Women Ordnance Workers corps in WWII. See below for more historical information.

The shirt: We’re offering your choice of fabrics:

  • 100% cotton Made in the USA shirt — Knitted, dyed, and sewn in the USA. 6.1 oz. XS - 4XL. See size chart.

    Note: According to some customers, these shirts run small. We suggest ordering one size larger than you normally wear.

  • Our standard 4.3 oz. poly-cotton shirt that gets rave reviews. Our softest shirt. It's also our thinnest and lightest. It is very high-quality and long-wearing, but it is thin and light. Lots of people love them, which you can see in the reviews, but if you judge t-shirt quality based on weight or thickness, do not get this one. Instead, the two 100% cotton shirt above. XS - 4XL. See size chart.

Note that the $3 price difference for the 100% cotton Made in the USA shirt is our higher wholesale cost; there is no additional margin.

This design is also available in a women's v-neck shirt, women's long-sleeved v-neck shirtsticker and a magnet.


Historical Background behind the Design: The Women Ordnance Workers insignia

""In 1942, Westinghouse Company's War Production Coordinating Committee created a series of posters to encourage support for the war effort. One of these posters became the 'We Can Do It' poster. This image was based on a United Press International wire service photograph taken of Ann Arbor, Michigan, factory worker Geraldine Hoff who worked as a metal-stamping machine operator. In later years, this image would be associated with the Rosie the Riveter legend, however this image only appeared for a few weeks to Westinghouse employees in the Midwest in 1943. An Ordnance Department Women Ordnance Worker (WOW) bandana is clearly visible on her head. This image has largely replaced the Norman Rockwell's image of Rosie the Riveter. . . .

The ""Rosie the Riveter"" movement is credited with helping push the number of working women to 20,000,000 during four years of war, a 57 percent jump from 1940. About 300,000 women were employed in War Department activities in November 1943. The WOW bandanna became a well-known symbol of the 85,000 women who worked directly for the Ordnance Department. . . .

From an advertisement in the July-August 1943 issue of Army Ordnance:

""... and she wears the WOW bandanna. Water Repellent. Washable. Dust Proof. The ""WOW"" Bandanna, designed in accordance with U.S. Army specification, is an attractive, safe, and unifying head covering to identify Women Ordnance Workers. About 27"" square, it is available either in Ordnance red with white Ordnance insignia, or in white with red Ordnance insignia. Every woman in your plant will want one--it's a ""WOW"" for morale! $3.75 per dozen, net F.O.B., New York. Manufactured under authorization from the Army Ordnance Department. We invite your inquiry. BRIAN FABRICS CORPORATION, 1441 BROADWAY, NEW YORK CITY.""

Source: US Army

The history of the symbol

""The Shell and Flame (a.k.a. Flaming Bomb) has been used by European armies for several centuries before adoption by the U.S. Army. In fact, it is still used by many countries in Western Europe, i.e. the Grenadier Guards in Britain. The insignia represents not a bomb, but an iron hand grenade with a powder charge and a fuse which had to be lit before throwing.

The Shell and Flame is considered the oldest branch insignia in the U.S. Army. The use of the Shell and Flame by the Ordnance Branch dates back to 1832. It was also used by the Artillery Branch until 1834 when the Artillery branch adopted the crossed-cannons as its branch insignia.

The Shell and Flame continued to be used by a wide variety of Army organizations, not just the Ordnance branch, until 1851 when the new 1851 Uniform Regulations dictated the Ordnance Branch would be the sole users of the Shell and Flame.""

Source: US Army


Thanks to Larisa for the tip about the W.O.W. women.

Shipping

Flat-rate shipping: Regardless of the number of items you order, the shipping price for shirts, caps, unframed prints and posters, bracelets, lapel pins, pendants, and button packs is $5.95.

For hooded and crewneck sweatshirts, mugs, and blankets, the shipping cost is $8.95. 

Our flat rate shipping means you can add two or more t-shirts, sweatshirts, or caps for no additional shipping charge.

Learn more about shipping here.

All original designs are copyrighted by The History List

All designs are copyrighted by The History List and the History Nerd text and design on t-shirts is a registered trademark. If you see a knock off, please let me know.

Made by America

Nearly everything we offer is designed by us and made in America.

Our original designs are based on our nation’s history and our love of American history. Read more about other things we've created, including The History List, History Camp, and The Pursuit of History, in addition to The History List Store.

All original designs are copyrighted by The History List.

Every product that is made in America states that in the product description and includes the "Made in U.S.A." graphic. There are a relatively small number of items where we’ve not been able to find a manufacturing partner here in the States, but we continue to look.  

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More from our WWII Collection

Customer Reviews

Based on 6 reviews
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l
lawrence b.
She’s a WOW

My wife loves it. Great duality, fit, fabric!

A
Amy S.
WOW shirt

Great fit, super soft! It helps educate folks who don’t know about WOW women and their
role!

G
Gregory D.
For the "Rosie the Riveter" in your life!

Great shirt, awesome graphic...pays homage to the home front that got the job done. Although the red shirt is a standout, I'd like to see it in black or some other color that contrasts more with her headscarf. Love it anyway!

G
Gregory D.S.
She’s A WOW SHIRT- Red

Great looking T-Shirt. Fast Service, Thank you.

D
David K.

Just a great shirts they fit well and I love the historical references they are not only sharp looking but conversation starters to boot!

A
Amanda B.
“She’s a Wow” Shirt Red

Love this shirt not only the design which is the whole I bought it but the shirt itself. It is so soft!