Code Girls Summary

Who were the hidden heroines of World War II, and how did their perseverance and intellect shift the tide of one of history’s most epic conflicts?

1. Women Became Skilled Code-breakers

In the 1930s, career options for women were minimal, often limited to roles like teaching. However, wartime brought new opportunities as the U.S. government opened its doors for women to work in code-breaking. At the time, few understood what the work would entail, but these jobs proved essential during World War II. This shift not only altered the lives of those involved but began changing perceptions of women in professional roles.

The work itself was grueling, often requiring extreme focus and patience. Initially, many believed these qualities were unique to women, as men were thought to lack the stamina for tedious, repetitive tasks. While this assumption was rooted in bias, women proved they possessed intelligence, adaptability, and determination. They mastered techniques for breaking codes, including analyzing the repetition of symbols and applying mathematical reasoning.

By working long hours over an extended period, many of these women triumphed in a male-dominated field. Their efforts not only deciphered enemy communications but also set a precedent, quietly demonstrating that women were capable of far more than the era typically allowed them.

Examples

• Women were recruited to Washington, DC to decipher intercepted messages.
• Long shifts and secrecy demonstrated their willingness to make sacrifices for the war effort.
• Their performance challenged traditional views of women’s intelligence and capabilities.

2. Early Female Cryptologists Set the Stage

Women like Elizebeth Smith Friedman laid the groundwork for female code breakers in military intelligence. Initially brought to Riverbank Laboratories for a peculiar Shakespeare-related project, Elizebeth quickly transitioned into cryptology during World War I. Alongside her husband, she became a leading figure in early American code work.

Her skill and media attention during Prohibition, where she cracked codes that identified criminals, proved women could excel in this domain. Similarly, Agnes Meyer Driscoll, a former math teacher, excelled by cracking Japanese codes throughout the 1920s and 1930s. Her work revealed how Japanese messages were encoded using a system that required not just one but two codebooks for encryption.

These women showcased their skill despite systemic gender pay gaps and the casual sexism embedded in society. The precedent they set inspired the next generation of code-breakers recruited for World War II.

Examples

• Elizebeth successfully cracked criminal codes during Prohibition.
• Agnes deciphered Japanese fleet codes, enhancing intelligence efforts before Pearl Harbor.
• Elizebeth and William Friedman spearheaded America’s first cryptology bureau at Riverbank.

3. Recruitment Broke Gender and Geographic Barriers

Recruitment efforts during the war specifically sought out women, starting with prestigious colleges. From Wellesley to small southern towns, recruiters scouted candidates who had logical skills and a sharp mind. This expanded the recruitment pool far beyond established educational elites.

Women were recruited based on skills like problem-solving, aptitude in puzzles, and language proficiency. While some were approached discreetly, others saw advertisements or were urged to enlist due to patriotic appeals. By 1942, as the Women’s Army Corps and the WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) were established, thousands of women enrolled to serve their country.

These recruitment efforts led to an unprecedented female presence in the military’s cryptanalysis groups. Women made up over 80 percent of the navy’s domestic wartime code-breaking personnel, transforming the U.S. intelligence workforce.

Examples

• Wellesley students like Ann White joined after secret interviews.
• Strategic posts placed personable recruiters in hotels to draw in southern college graduates.
• The WAVES brought thousands of women into cryptanalysis-related roles.

4. Life Beyond the Work: Social Freedom and Resilience

Working in Washington, these women became part of a new community affectionately dubbed “government girls” or “g-girls." While many outsiders dismissed their roles as secretarial, the women lived a mix of intense professional and newfound social freedom.

Many g-girls stayed in dorm-style living quarters or small apartments with friends. Despite long hours, weekends brought opportunities to travel or attend parties, where they mingled with soldiers in training or passing through. Romances frequently blossomed, though not all wartime engagements lasted.

For some women, this chapter represented a break from societal expectations back home, like early marriage or restrictive family roles. This taste of independence encouraged a shift in how they viewed their lives and their societal potential.

Examples

• Dorothy “Dot” Baden left Virginia life to rent a Washington apartment with a friend.
• Women used discounted military train tickets to visit new places during long breaks.
• Many wrote letters to soldiers, like Dot, who managed correspondence with five servicemen simultaneously.

5. Genevieve Grotjan Founded a Lasting Breakthrough

Genevieve Grotjan’s work illuminated how attention to patterns could crack even the most difficult codes. As part of William Friedman’s team tackling the Japanese Purple cipher machine, Genevieve identified essential repeating patterns, enabling the Allies to construct a duplicate of the machine without ever having seen the original.

This breakthrough allowed Allied forces to intercept critical Japanese communications throughout the war. Her sharp observational skills outpaced her male peers, reminding the military that perseverance often mattered more than seniority.

Grotjan’s work proved women deserved equal consideration in scientific fields, even as they battled institutional biases.

Examples

• Grotjan joined cryptanalysis after being rejected from universities because of her gender.
• She identified repeating patterns in Purple, enabling the Allies to decrypt Japanese diplomatic transmissions.
• This duplicate machine simplified the Allies’ access to Japanese military intentions.

6. G-Girls Helped Sink 43 Japanese Ships in One Month

At Arlington Hall, women like Ann Caracristi led teams that advanced code-breaking efforts. Through teamwork and innovation, they eventually deciphered Japanese logistical systems. This allowed the military to intercept troop movements and combat supply routes.

This decoding, which extended to water transport codes and later broader messaging systems, enabled them to locate ships at sea. By November 1943, these efforts had contributed directly to sinking or damaging nearly 70 Japanese ships, choking off essential resources. Their groundbreaking teamwork also unlocked additional Japanese codes, broadening U.S. intelligence.

By analyzing intercepted communications, the female code-breakers indirectly reshaped warfare strategy, favoring precision over brute force.

Examples

• Solving the 2468 code detailed Japanese logistics and army messages.
• Teams expanded to process incoming data rapidly, forming a decoding assembly line.
• Their methodical approach directly influenced tactics in the Pacific theater.

7. Strategic Code-breaking Supported D-Day

The women of Arlington Hall and WAVES units also contributed intelligence pivotal to the European theater. By decoding the German Enigma machine and Japanese Purple ciphers, they gathered intelligence about troop placement in Normandy, informing plans to land there.

Beyond deciphering codes, they wrote deceptive messages to mislead Axis forces. These efforts ensured the Germans allocated resources away from Normandy, supporting the Allies’ historic D-Day invasion.

Women’s efforts in this European victory showcased their ability to cross intelligence fields—decoding enemy messages while crafting messages designed to confuse.

Examples

• WAVES worked with adapted British “bombe” technology.
• Decoded Japanese transmissions revealed weak fortifications in Normandy.
• Deceptive messages rendered false German assumptions about Allied invasion points.

8. Women Saw the Brutality of War

The g-girls didn’t just read codes; they saw the realities of combat. Relay messages often confirmed troop losses or revealed lives trapped in danger. Reading about their loved ones’ locations or battles added personal stakes to their work.

For many, these experiences cultivated both pride and anguish. The emotional toll was compounded by the secrecy they maintained, unable to share their discoveries directly with family. However, it also connected them deeply to historical events, such as deciphering Japan’s intent to surrender in 1945.

Their hard work and personal sacrifices shaped their identities in ways that often lasted for decades.

Examples

• Fran Steen had to read about threats to her brother’s naval destroyer.
• Virginia Aderholdt translated Japan’s surrender messages, documenting history.
• Decade-long secrecy compounded the emotional burden for many workers.

9. Legacy Overshadowed by Secrecy and Sexism

After the war, many women struggled to convey the importance of their contributions. While some stayed within nascent government agencies like the NSA, others found limited paths in academia or professional realms. Due to the classified nature of their work, they often couldn’t fully explain their skills.

While a few notable figures like Ann Caracristi rose through ranks, most returned quietly to civilian life, with their accomplishments largely unacknowledged. Even decades later, the release of their wartime contributions underlined the crucial roles they had played despite widespread underappreciation.

Preserving their history ensures their achievements are no longer overshadowed.

Examples

• NSA roles created lasting opportunities for a few, like Ann Caracristi.
• Elizabeth Bigelow was repeatedly rejected from architectural schools despite her service.
• The NSA declassified much of their work nearly 70 years later, restoring their legacy.

Takeaways

1. Appreciate opportunities to look beyond traditional societal roles—change often begins when barriers are challenged.
2. Recognize the contributions of unsung individuals in history by advocating for overlooked voices or forgotten stories.
3. Cultivate patience and attention to detail—skills that make a difference in work requiring discipline and focus.