This historic-sociological study concentrates on part of a Master's Degree Thesis entitled "The Nursing Brazilian Army Feminine Grouping in the Expeditionary Force during World War II: a focus under a photographic perspective (1942-1945)" ("O Grupamento Feminino de Enfermagem do Exército na Força Expedicionária Brasileira (FEB) durante a 2ª Guerra Mundial: uma abordagem sob o olhar fotográfico - 1942-1945"). The objective of this study was to analyze the political context, the basis of the military support in Brazil and the use of the feminine image of the Brazilian nurses during the period previously mentioned. The primary sources were comprised of photographic and oral testimonies of those who participated in the conflict and lived the events of that meaningful time. As secondary sources we used bibliographic literature. We have also used Pierre Bourdieu's, a French Sociologist, to support the discussion. The results reflected contradictions in the relations between Vargas and the militaries and made clear that the nurses posed as an advertisement to the Vargas government and to the Army who used the agents to make public their images, proving the Brazilian participation in the international conflict. This participation was a result of a popular pressure, as well as an aspiration of the Brazilian people.
Nursing; History; War
