A patriotic desire to support the troops as well as the need for better wages influenced Florence Holmes' decision to begin work in a General Motors plant in Michigan, retooled to manufacture military aircraft.  She spent some of her time there working on a grinding press, but she was also occasionally utilized to operate a drill press and other machinery.  The secretive nature of much of the work contributed to the sense of importance the employees felt as they completed their tasks.

The women were extremely careful in carrying out their work to specification, as they realized that soldiers' lives depended on the parts they manufactured.  Workers considered forming a union to have wages increased, but the war was over before this was accomplished.  Ms. Holmes' employment at the plant lasted until the war ended and the factory was closed. 

FLORENCE HOLMES

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