BIO

Grace is a junior at Florida State University from Martinsburg, West Virginia! She is studying one of her largest passions, History, and plans to graduate in the Fall of 2025.
Grace is involved in many organizations on campus, such as the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program, Her Campus at FSU (HCFSU), and FSU's Kappa Kappa Gamma (KKG) chapter. She serves as a Content Editor for HCFSU and the Philanthropy Director of KKG. She is a go-to for anything History-related and is always looking for new experiences!

Ungentlemanly Warfare: Women Spies of the Special Operations Executive During WWII

Abstract

During World War II (WWII), the world of espionage called for many noble individuals, men and women alike, to step forward on behalf of their country. Ungentlemanly Warfare: Women Spies of the Special Operations Executive During WWII explores the pivotal role played by women in the Special Operations Executive (SOE) during World War II, shedding light on their contributions as spies and wireless operators. These women demonstrated exceptional courage and resourcefulness, undertaking covert missions in occupied territories to gather crucial intelligence, sabotage Axis operations, and aid resistance movements. These women demonstrated incredible devotion as they continuously faced the threat of capture, torture, rape, and execution. Through a series of literary analyses, depositions, and previously classified SOE documents, this research aims to uncover the truth behind the women operatives’ stories, examine the societal attitudes toward their work, and their impact on the Allies’ success in Europe. This research will elevate the often-overlooked history of these women and their invaluable role in World War II.

Keywords: history, WWII, World War II, women, gender