Four members of the Sweethearts of Rhythm, International Sweethearts of Rhythm Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
By Joann Stevens
April 22, 2010
This post originally appeared on the National Museum of American History blog, "O Say Can You See?"
Women in music have always struggled with recognition for their talent but during the mid-1900’s jazz music was a hardly receptive place for a female instrumentalist to make her mark. Singing and playing the piano seemed to be the only socially acceptable roles for female musicians, and everything else was left for men. Yet, this didn’t keep women from branching out toward other instruments; the story of unrecognized female instrumentalists is full of gaps and undocumented characters.
It wasn’t until World War II that women began to get noticed for music-making and it seemed revolutionary. With so many men overseas at war, American women stepped out of their domestic roles to fill vacant positions. The federal government reclassified jobs allowing blacks and women to enter the federal workforce. Many are familiar with Rosie the Riveter. But what about the “International Sweethearts of Rhythm,” an all-girl big band that spanned multiple races? Music could be just important as factory metal, helping raise morale and offering peace of mind during time of war. The Sweethearts did just so, without letting issues of race or gender impede them. Performing jazz was their passion and means of survival. And through music they helped change America’s social landscape and heal a fractured nation.
