Women in the Work Force
In 1941 and 1942 millions of men left the work force to join the armed forces in response to the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor, HI. This left a severe manpower shortage in the United States that was solved by encouraging women to enter the work force and perform jobs traditionally done by men. These women answered their country's call by the millions and were trained to work in all aspects of manufacturing performing just as well if not better then the men they replaced. These women received for the first time equal pay for the same job, training and respect. Prior to this time women held jobs in only a few career fields such as secretarial work, nursing or as a homemaker.
This short film shows how industry trained women to take the place of the men who left home to fight World War II.
Training Women for the Work Force
In 1941 and 1942 millions of men left the work force to join the armed forces in response to the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor, HI. This left a severe manpower shortage in the United States that was solved by encouraging women to enter the work force and perform jobs traditionally done by men. These women answered their country's call by the millions and were trained to work in all aspects of manufacturing performing just as well if not better then the men they replaced. These women received for the first time equal pay for the same job, training and respect. Prior to this time women held jobs in only a few career fields such as secretarial work, nursing or as a homemaker.
This short film shows how industry trained women to take the place of the men who left home to fight World War II.
Training Women for the Work Force
Wages in munitions plants and aircraft factories averaged more than those for traditional female jobs. Women abandoned traditional jobs, particularly domestic service, to work in war production plants offering 40 percent higher wages.
With the help of women workers, total industrial production doubled between 1939 and 1945. The military production was astounding: 300,000 aircraft, 12,000 ships, 86,000 tanks, and 64,000 landing craft in addition to millions of artillery pieces and small weapons.
Rosie the Riverter became an American icon and is still recognized today. Rosie came to symbolize American Women's patriotism and can do attitude. Below is a film that shows the many contributions to the war effort American women made and is set to a popular tune of the time actually written about Rosie.
Rosie the Riverter
Rosie the Riverter became an American icon and is still recognized today. Rosie came to symbolize American Women's patriotism and can do attitude. Below is a film that shows the many contributions to the war effort American women made and is set to a popular tune of the time actually written about Rosie.
Rosie the Riverter
In the 1940’s freight and passengers moved on railroads that employed more than two million people. Women took over many jobs associated with maintaining the rails and trains over which critical war material and troops flowed.
The following movies show additional ways in which American women contributed to the war efforts.
How World War II Influenced Women in the Work Force
The following movies show additional ways in which American women contributed to the war efforts.
How World War II Influenced Women in the Work Force
Women in World War II