World War II Honoree

Ruth Bullock Ward

Hometown

Stillwater, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

SUPPORTED THE WAR EFFORT AS A TEACHER DURING THE WAR. SHE WANTED TO JOIN THE WOMEN ACCEPTED FOR VOLUNTEER EMERGENCY SERVICE (WAVES), THE WOMEN’S RESERVE OF THE U.S. NAVY; BUT SHE WAS UNABLE TO RECEIVE THE AUTHORIZATION TO JOIN, AS HER TEACHING POSITION WAS CONSIDERED AN ESSENTIAL CIVILIAN WARTIME JOB. IN ADDITION TO TEACHING, SHE FOUND ANOTHER WAY TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE WAR EFFORT. SHE RECRUITED HER STUDENTS TO KNIT MUFFLERS AND SOCKS FOR DISTRIBUTION TO SERVICE PERSONNEL.