Women's Role
During World War II, a lot of women served in the U.S. armed forces on the home-front and abroad, but at the same time, they had to care for the family while the father was away. Women played a vital role in World War II. Women are most known for taking jobs in the factories while the men were away at war. They created everything, from ammunition, to uniforms, even to making to making some aircraft. Even though that there were some skilled women, and a lot of unskilled men, the unskilled men still earned more money. So women working in the factories were mainly voluntary.
The Women's Land Army
The Women's Land Army (WLA) was created during World War I, and was re-formed in July 1939 for World War II. 7,000 women had joined by August 1940, but with the crisis caused by Hitler's U-Boats, a huge drive went on to get more women working on the land. The government tried to make out that the work of the WLA was glamorous and adverts showed it as this. The work they did was hard and young women usually worked in isolated communities. The Women's Land Army was vital for the winning of the war.
Jobs of Women
Many women decided that they would work in factories. They worked in all manner of production ranging from making weapons to heavy artillery. The hours they worked were long and some women had to move to where the factories were. Those who moved away were actually paid more. In Great Britain, during the Blitz, women gave firemen tea and refreshments when they were clearing up after the bombings.
Women Memorials
There have been many memorials because of the hard work the women did during the war. One of the most famous is the "Women's Memorial" which doesn't just talk about World War II. There is also a "World War II National Museum" that also shows the work of women. In this specific memorial, it shows the work the women did in the factory, women's in the army corps, and women in the marine corps. In Great Britain there is a monument showing the support of the women. It shows the uniforms that some of the women wore.
Historical Media
The Federal Women Suffrage Amendment, written by Susan B. Anthony. This Amendment managed to become passed by Congress. The Women's Bureau of Department of Labor was also created and was made to fight for women having equal work rights and pay for their work.
Major Changes on the Home-Front
Some of the major changes on the home-front included women joining the work force to replace the men leaving for the armed forces. "Rosie the Riveter" became the famous symbol for women. Once the men had left, the women suddenly had to take care of things at home and go to work.
Women's Fashions Change
Women's fashions had changed extremely throughout World War II. Before the war had begun, women had wore dresses and formal clothing. After the war, what women wore had changed. Women went from wearing dresses and formal clothes to wearing t-shirts and jeans. The reason they wore these clothes was because during the war there was a shortage of supplies. The women couldn't afford to make the expensive dresses that they had previously worn. Jeans and t-shirts were the most affordable clothes to wear. Women had become accustomed to wearing these clothes, so they didn't change back to wearing dresses.
The 40's Influence
The 40's was a time of fashion in which many Hollywood stars and other famous people would wear clothes that no one has seen before to try to get the viewers and fans to influence people to change their style. What people wear today became popular because of what the famous people in the 40's wore. This is how many trends are set, someone famous or popular wears something new, and others feel they want to wear it too.