Women In Wwii

Changes In Roles For Women During WWII

Rosie the Riveter, The mascot of the women of the 1930's and 40's, and her slogan "We Can Do It!" Shows us that the roles of women in the United States had changed drastically since that of the early 1900's, showing the world that women are just as capable of doing the things that men did everyday, even in the toughest of times. During WWII roles of women changed in many ways that would affect not just the women, but also the entire Nation.

There were many factors that caused the changes in women in this era. One author expressed " Many of them (women) did paid or voluntary war-connected work, or were deeply involved in operating their family businesses" (Colman 36). Letting us know that after all the men went away to war, those jobs had to go on. Most women filled those job graciously, knowing that this was there way to prove that they could do everything that a man is capable of doing. "Not only did they have to keep 'the home fires burning' but they took on voluntary and paid employment that was diverse in scope and showed that women were highly capable in diverse fields of endeavour"(Female Roles in the World Wars). Keeping positions filled kept much needed supplies available to the troops that were at the battlefront. "Female workers were vital to the production of tanks, air planes, ships, and other necessary military equipment"(Feminism & the Women's Rights Movement 2).

These changes greatly effected women. "There is little doubt that this expanded views of the roles of women in society, and did change the outlook of what women could do and their place in the workforce." (Female Role in the World Wars) Women had gained power and respect in the home front because they had become the primary support of the country. "Women had been fighting for the right to work since the early 1900's and now were finally getting the chance"(Colman 39). Because of this, they were able to fight back against discrimination helping ease women into the roles they have in society today. Women had gained the rights be equal to men emphasized one author, "The Equal Pay Act