Winnie the Welder + Welding Merit Badge for Female Scouts BSA

We’ve all heard of Rosie the Riveter, but what about Winnie the Welder? In the 1940s, when the U.S. became involved in WWII after Pearl Harbor, thousands of able-bodied men left their welding jobs to head across the sea. But ships, vehicles and other factory items still needed to be built, now more than ever. With so many jobs open and needing to be filled, the women of America stepped up to the plate to prove themselves.

The first women in shipyards did small jobs like scaling or tacking. But soon enough, women began making up a larger chunk of the workforce and taking on more responsibilities. One of these women was Zaddie Johnson, who became the leader of her own welding crew in Mobile, Alabama. Her efforts helped the United States to produce one battle-ready ship every single day. Like most women, she went back to work in the home full-time after the war, but she never stopped doing welding projects around the house.

Female Scouts BSA will have an opportunity to follow in Winnie the Welder's footsteps and earn Welding Merit Badge.

Date: Saturday, February 20, 2021

Starts at 8:00 am.

Ends at 5:00 pm.

The course is limited to 6 Scouts.

Scouts must be at least 13 years of age.

Scouts will need to bring parts A & B of the Annual Health & Medical Form.

Scouts will gather in the main parking lot and go through COVID-19 screening protocol before entering camp.

The welding merit badge will be taught in the Welding Shop. The Welding Shop is well ventilated and air will be moving constantly. Furthermore, the garage entry door will be open.

Each Scout will have their own protective equipment - welding hood and mask, welding jacket, and welding gloves.

Scouts should wear leather boots that cover the ankle, long pants, and a long-sleeve button-down shirt. Preferably, long pants are denim. Do not wear any synthetic or nylon material. Suggest you wear your hair pulled back. Scouts may want a neckerchief to cover their hair while wearing the welding hood and mask. You should wear clothes that can get dirty...because they will. 

Scouts will be outside or in the open-air welding shop for the entire day. Dress accordingly to the weather.

Scouts will need a face covering when not wearing a welding hood and mask. 

A hot lunch will be provided.

Prerequisites: Scouts need to complete requirement 7a prior to arrival. Please conduct your research and bring your findings with you. 

Cost: $50 includes all of the metal and welding supplies necessary to complete the merit badge, lunch, and COVID-19 mitigation supplies. 

Registration closes at 11:59 pm on Thursday, February 18, 2021. 

Andrew Chockley is the course director. His email address is bigchocks007@yahoo.com. 

If you are interested in learning more about Winnie the Welder, check out these links.

https://www.weldingsuppliesfromioc.com/blog/winnie-the-welder-female-welders-of-wwii/

https://www.patriotledger.com/article/20090506/NEWS/305069577