Della Cramer at Southern Pacific Rail Yard

On Oct. 7, 1942, the Oregon Journal published this photograph of Della Cramer working as a rivet heater at the Southern Pacific Railroad in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Portland. At the time, Cramer was one of about twenty women who worked at the railroad yards. An article accompanying the photograph expressed that while no women were yet working as train engineers at the Southern Pacific Railroad, “officials admit that there is a distinct possibility that even this most masculine task might fall to the lot of the women.” When the reporter asked Cramer if the “heavy work” interfered with housework, she answered “not very much.” Women also worked at the yards as blacksmiths and cleaners.

During World War II, women were able to work in occupations not previously open to them. Industries increased their output for the war effort and many men enlisted or were drafted into the armed services, creating a labor shortage. Women also worked building planes and ships and as farm laborers.

Further Reading:
Deppermen, Wayne and Richard Engeman, “The Brooklyn Roadhouse.” Oregon Historical Quarterly 103, 2002: 234-49.

Written by Kathy Tucker, © Oregon Historical Society, 2002.