A woman moves a pole at the International Creosoting Company in Beaumont

Photo by John Vachon

A woman moves a pole at the International Creosoting Company in Beaumont, 1943. This job had traditionally been done by men, but the absence of the male workforce due to World War II paved the way for women to assume many such jobs. All I know is that moving poles around in the heat and humidity of Beaumont would be hot, hard work!

Get more Texas in your inbox

Sign up for our newsletters and never miss a moment of what’s happening around the state.