Welder Laura Valera, photographed in front of a hoisting machine at Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation in Portland. Her hands are clasped in front of her and she is wearing a flipped welding face shield (negative 2 of 9).

Women from the “hellcats” welding crew at the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation in Portland. Wearing welding gear and face shields, the group is standing in an industrial area. A photograph from this series was published on page D1 of the Oregon Journal on Sunday, January 23, 1944 (negative 1 of 3). See also: negative 901-3.

Women from the “hellcats” welding crew at the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation in Portland. Top row, from left: Hazel Zimmerman, Georgie Towell, Verna McCaughey, Frances Reid (helper). Front row: Mayme Matchett, Mabel Geist, Bess Blankenship, Vivian Sales, Martha Raymond, and Leadman Paul (‘Doc’) Shade. This photograph was published on page D1 of the Oregon Journal on Sunday, January 23, 1944 (negative 1 of 3). See also: negative 901-1.

The “pole cats” crew of welders at Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation in Portland. Several people are kneeling in the front of the group while facing away from the camera, showing off “Pole Cats” painted across their backs. Some of the men and women are wearing safety helmets or face shields. A similar photograph was published on page D1 of the Oregon Journal on Sunday, February 13, 1943 (negative 2 of 2).

Welder Evangeline Feyereisen, wearing work wear and a welding helmet, at Kaiser Company, Swan Island. A cropped version of this photograph was published on page D1 of the Oregon Journal on Sunday, May 28, 1944 (negative 2 of 7).

Nela Selzler (left) and Lucille Rastad (right), sitting together inside a metal structure, at Kaiser Company, Swan Island. They’re both wearing welding helmets. Two cropped photographs were published on page D1 of the Oregon Journal on Sunday, May 28, 1944 (negative 1 of 7).

Pauline (“Pete”) Pettersen, wearing work wear, stands in front of a wall of schematics at Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation in Portland. A cropped version of this photograph was published on page D1 of the Oregon Journal on Sunday, May 28, 1944 (negative 3 of 7).

Annie Klein, wearing work wear, stands in front of a wall of schematics at Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation in Portland. A cropped version of this photograph was published on page D1 of the Oregon Journal on Sunday, May 28, 1944 (negative 4 of 7).

Mary Bowman, wearing work wear, at Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation in Portland. A cropped version of this photograph was published on page D1 of the Oregon Journal on Sunday, May 28, 1944 (negative 5 of 7).

Winifred Reynolds and Maude Eva Best, wearing work wear, stand in a hallway at Kaiser Company, Vancouver. Two cropped photographs were published on page D1 of the Oregon Journal on Sunday, May 28, 1944 (negative 7 of 7).

Myrtle Croner (left) and Mrs. Carl Ernest (right), wearing work wear, stand in front of an industrial area at Kaiser Company, Vancouver. Two cropped photographs were published on page D1 of the Oregon Journal on Sunday, May 28, 1944 (negative 6 of 7).

Jeanette Bourdeau, welder at Kaiser Company, Vancouver, looking in a mirror. She is wearing a bath robe and head wrap, and is holding both hands to her hair. This photograph was published on page 1 of the Oregon Journal’s “Picture Parade” section on Sunday, June 6, 1943 (negative 1 of 14).