Although not quite as common, women entered ranks as spies and formed their own militia groups to engage in direct combat. Women took on important courier work often because men aroused too much suspicion. Women were entrusted with transporting extremely sensitive information that if found, meant that Nazi soldiers could arrest, interrogate, and even kill the courier for being in possession of (Women). Women like Dr. Genevieve Congy, rode bicycles to transport intelligence messages, including maps indicating military deployment and resistance networks and their heads (Women). Stories of acts of defiance and bravery are the stuff of legends in the history of the French Resistance, and many women joined spy rings and were eagerly welcomed into clandestine networks because they were considered to have “the best disguise”--being women (Women)! Women played a crucial role in spy networks; they were considered to be politically …show more content…
Lead and commanded by women, these groups effectively helped to undermine German morale. Georgette Gerard became one of two known women who commanded a maquis fighting group; Madeleine Riffaud commanded a Parisian guerrilla team when she was only 19 years old (Women). Additionally, working on the front lines, armed women’s groups built barricades, derailed trains, blew up bridges, cut telephone lines, and deliberately slowed production (Opar). These women garnered great respect for their fellow resisters and females. Imagery and symbolic artwork about Joan of Arc came to popularity during this time creating a sort of “cult” of Joan; she was heralded as a great leader and a symbol of patriotism and sacrifice (Opar). Joan’s image inspired women to become warriors, liberators, patriots, and “one who refused defeat (Opar).” While these women were often thought of as “honorary men,” given the privilege of joining the mens’ ranks, this great leap allowed French society to adjust to a new role of women and their greater