When men went off to war, women stepped from homes into factories to make the ships, planes, munitions, and vehicles that enabled America to win World War II and become a postwar superpower. Historian Sig Unander presents archival photos and research on the Kaiser Shipyards in Portland and Vancouver, the Vanport worker residential community and childcare facilities, and women in aircraft manufacturing in the Pacific Northwest. 

Sig Unander is a writer, historian and public speaker from Portland, Oregon. He began his career in broadcast journalism at media outlets in New Mexico, Minnesota and Georgia and as a freelance writer. Later, he worked in Spanish-language media, edited a business magazine for Hispanic professionals and served as writer and historian with a documentary film production company. He has spoken at hundreds of venues and lectured at universities in the United States and the Philippines. He is currently working on a narrative nonfiction book about Claire Phillips, a World War II heroine and Medal of Freedom recipient.

Enjoy 15% off your hotel stay on History Pub nights! Show your ticket at check-in.

These events are open to everyone interested in Pacific Northwest history, and beyond! Often co-sponsored by local or state historical and civic organizations, we bring you experts, scholars, first-person experiencers, historians and documentaries expounding on topics from indigenous history to the birth of Portland, early explorers to hop growing, and on and on! It's like being back in the classroom - except this time you get to settle into comfortable seats and enjoy a drink or two with dinner while you listen and learn.

This event is eligible for a History Pub Stamp