Fortune's Great Moments in History: #3 August 27, 1949: A Hall of Fame opened to honor outstanding members of the Women's Air Corp. It was a WAC's Museum.

On a crisp August morning in 1949, history was made as the doors of a first-of-its-kind institution swung open in Washington, D.C., dedicating itself to preserving the legacy of the women who reshaped the boundaries of military service. The Women’s Air Corps (WAC) Hall of Fame and Museum, inaugurated on August 27, stood as a landmark tribute to the courage, ingenuity, and resilience of the trailblazing women who served during World War II and beyond. Founded by a coalition of veterans and historians, the museum aimed not only to honor individual achievements but to cement the collective contributions of the WAC in the annals of American history.

The Women’s Air Corps, established in 1942 under the leadership of Director Oveta Culp Hobby, initially faced skepticism from a society unaccustomed to women in military roles. Yet by war’s end, over 150,000 women had enlisted, taking on non-combat duties that freed male soldiers for front-line service. These women worked as engineers, intelligence analysts, mechanics, and pilots, proving their mettle despite limited recognition. The museum’s opening, seven years after the war’s conclusion, marked a turning point in public acknowledgment of their indispensable role.

Visitors to the museum on its inaugural day were greeted by exhibits showcasing uniforms, letters, photographs, and flight logs, each curated to tell the stories of perseverance and patriotism. One display highlighted the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the only all-Black female unit deployed overseas, which sorted millions of letters for troops in Europe amid rampant discrimination. Another featured Jacqueline Cochran, a pioneering aviator who lobbied Congress to formally integrate women into the Air Force. Interactive dioramas recreated scenes from training camps, while audio recordings of veterans’ testimonials echoed through the halls.

Congressional leaders and military officials delivered speeches at the dedication ceremony, praising the WAC’s “quiet revolution” in gender equality. Former Corporal Helen Richards, a mechanic who served in England, addressed the crowd: “We didn’t fight with rifles, but we fought with wrenches, typewriters, and sheer determination. This museum ensures our granddaughters will know their capabilities are limitless.”

The timing of the museum’s debut was poignant. As Cold War tensions simmered, the U.S. military had begun quietly reactivating women’s units, though official permanent status for women in the armed forces remained years away. The museum thus served as both a memorial and a rallying cry, reminding policymakers of the WAC’s critical wartime contributions. Critics argued the institution was overdue, but supporters countered that it symbolized progress—a “permanent barracks” for stories once relegated to footnotes.

Over the decades, the WAC Museum expanded its scope, eventually becoming part of the broader Veterans History Project. Today, it stands as a testament to a generation of women who soared beyond societal expectations, their legacy enshrined not just in medals and uniforms, but in the doors they opened for future service members. As historian Dr. Evelyn Marsh noted in 1949, “This museum isn’t a relic—it’s a compass. It shows us where we’ve been and directs us toward a more inclusive future.”

The establishment of the WAC Hall of Fame remains a defining chapter in the struggle for gender equality, ensuring that the courage of these women would never again be relegated to the shadows of history.