Person

Mary O'Brien

An image with the text SWONS Shipbuilding Women of the Navy with heads of female workers at bottom — Shipbuilding Women of the Navy

In 1943, 27-year-old Mary O'Brien walked into the Charlestown Navy Yard seeking employment. With her decision, O'Brien took an active role in supporting the country's efforts during World War II.

A lifelong resident of the area, O'Brien had spent her early adulthood working various odd jobs, as steady employment proved hard to find. After marrying, she and her husband relocated from Charlestown to Somerville, where they began raising a family. O'Brien devoted the next several years to caring for their four children. Yet, when the Navy Yard called for workers during World War II, she eagerly answered. Driven by a strong desire to contribute to the war effort, she reflected, "I mean, they were really looking for help, and I thought maybe I could contribute a little bit to it."¹

As World War II progressed, the Navy Yard faced a growing labor shortage with many men off to war. To fill the gap, the Navy actively recruited women through radio ads, newspapers, and word of mouth. As women, including Mary O'Brien, filled roles traditionally held by men, this influx of female workers created a pivotal shift in workforce dynamics. Their contributions were essential to the war effort, transforming the Navy Yard into a bustling hub of wartime production.

Assigned to the electrical department, O'Brien's role matched her knowledge of physics from her high school coursework. She was responsible for repairing temporary lights used by electricians and welders while they worked out on the piers . These lights, resembling tall birdcages, illuminated the intricate areas of the ships. O'Brien recalled,

We used to have to repair [the lights] because they'd get pretty well damaged. When [the workers] got through working on the ship, they’d just throw them into a pile. We'd have to untangle them, which would break the cords and lamps. We had to replace them and splice the cables to get them ready for use again.

O'Brien's role at the Navy Yard came without formal training; she learned on the job with guidance from a supervisor. Despite the lack of structured orientation, workers were required to wear safety equipment and were subject to frequent inspections by safety engineers. Working in the fast-paced environment of the Navy Yard, O'Brien remembered, "It was the height of everything... ships coming and going and needing things in a hurry. You didn’t have time to fool around!"

The Navy Yard was a place of relentless activity, where workers like O'Brien faced difficult conditions with resilience. As she noted, "Nobody worried too much about the conditions, you just went there and did your job and went home again." Although she was fortunate not to suffer injuries, the work was grueling with limited opportunities for time off. According to O'Brien, sick leave was hard to obtain unless one was "practically dead."

O'Brien embraced the challenge of this new job on top of her family responsibilities. Meanwhile, her husband worked at the Watertown Arsenal and later transferred to the Navy Yard, joining O'Brien. To manage their family life, she and her husband worked different shifts. However, with no childcare facilities available at the Navy Yard—a common issue at the time—O'Brien had to endure the grueling night shift from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., six days a week, while balancing her home responsibilities.

When her husband was drafted into the military in 1944, O'Brien took on the role of sole caretaker for their children. With support from friends and family, she continued working despite the difficulties. Reflecting on this period, she said, "I tried to save as much of the allotment as I could each month, so that there would be something to show for both our hard work and his service." Managing her job and family alone was a tremendous task, but her "happy-go-lucky" nature helped her make the best of the situation.

O'Brien found a sense of pride in her independence and Navy Yard work. When asked about her family's reaction to her working at the Yard, she mentioned that her in-laws disapproved. Despite their disapproval, she saw her work as vital to her family's wellbeing and stability. Like many women of her time, O'Brien made significant personal sacrifices to support the war effort, juggling long hours and demanding duties while managing her household responsibilities. Her experience reflects the broader commitment of women who stepped into these essential roles, contributing crucially to the war effort despite facing their own struggles and societal pressures.

O'Brien's tenure at the Navy Yard ended in late 1945 when she resigned for "family reasons." After the war, she took on flexible restaurant jobs while her husband remained in the military. Despite the challenges, Mary's hard work paid off; she saved enough to purchase a home in the Boston area once her husband returned from service in 1946.

O'Brien remained active in the local community. She participated in the Charlestown Working Theatre and continued to visit the Navy Yard on occasion. In her oral history, recorded in 1981, O'Brien expressed pride in the Navy Yard's history and its critical role during the war, saying, "I'm glad it's being preserved. It's important to remember the history and the valuable contributions made." Having grown up in Charlestown and lived in the area for the rest of her life, O'Brien observed the Yard's transition from an active shipbuilding site to a National Park.

Reflecting on her experiences as a woman worker in the Navy Yard during its heyday, O'Brien expressed gratitude for the opportunities it provided her with. She not only contributed to the war effort, but also learned new skills and interacted with people she would not have otherwise met. She also appreciated the financial support the job provided her family.

Mary O'Brien's story is a testament to the courage and dedication of the women who worked at the Navy Yard. Their sacrifices—long hours, separation from family, and relentless work—were crucial to the war effort and exemplify the strength and resilience of women on the home front during World War II.