What was life like for women working during World War 2 and what jobs did they do?

Answer 1

Hi Jamie Life for women during WW2 was bittersweet. Their loved ones were at war, yet they discovered they were able to hold down men's jobs (which was foreign to them during these times). AMERICAN WOMEN IN WW2 More than 60,000 Army nurses served stateside and overseas during WWII. 67 Army nurses were captured by the Japanese in the Philippines in 1942 and were held as POWs for over 2 1/2 years. The Army established a Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAC) in 1943. The Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) were organized and flew as civil service pilots. WASPs flew stateside missions as ferriers, test pilots, and anti-aircraft artillery trainers. More than 14,000 Navy nurses served stateside, overseas on hospital ships and as flight nurses during the war. 5 Navy nurses were captured by the Japanese on the Island of Guam and were held as POWs for 5 months before being exchanged. A 2nd group of 11 Navy nurses captured in the Philippines were held for 37 months. The Navy recruited women into its Navy Women's Service (WAVES) starting in 1942. Before the war was over, more than 80,000 WAVES filled shore billets in a large variety of jobs in communications, intelligence, supply, medicine and administration. The Marine Corps created the Marine Corps Women's Reserve in 1943. Marine women served stateside as clerks, cooks, mechanics, drivers, etc. The Coast Guard established their Women's Reserve known as the SPARs (after the motto Semper Paratus-Always Ready) in 1942. SPARs were assigned stateside and served as storekeepers, clerks, photographers, pharmacists mates, cooks, etc. The Cadet Nurse Corps, established in 1943 trained some 125,000 women for possible military service. More than 400,000 American military women served at home and overseas in nearly all noncombat jobs. The nickname given to women factory workers was "Rosie The Riveter." This term is dedicated to all races of women during that served in some way during WW2. Once the war was over and the men came home, women were basically told to go home and do their "wifely duties" much to the dismay of these brave and hard-working young women. CANADIAN WOMEN IN WW2 Whether serving overseas, or keeping "the homefires burning" Cdn. women did their part during WWII. They were not given the option to enlist for combat duty, but many served in other areas. 45,000 Cdn. women enlisted in the Women's Div. of the Royal Cdn. Air Force, as well as the Women's Royal Cdn. Naval Service and the Cdn. Women's Army Corp. July 1941, the Women Div. of the RCAF was authorized by the gov't. Thousands of young women flocked to recruiting offices to enlist. By 1945, 17,000 women were in the Cdn. Armed Forces. Hundreds of Cdn. women worked in machine shops, welding shops, and manufacturing plants, making the equipment that was necessary to fight a war. Manpower was at a premium and fuses, guns and shells were urgently needed. Women were strained to the max, working hard to fill men's jobs and also cleaning their homes and looking after their children. Luxuries (like the American women) were few. Only 1 in 9 of the 45,000 women who signed up were selected for duty overseas. As the war progressed women began to be assigned to clerical and other duties in the combat zone. In 1945 when the war ended there were 2,000 CWAC's overseas. Women wanted to be shipped overseas. Just like the men, they had a yearning for adventure. Once they arrived the reality of the dangers became evident. Aug. 13/41, the Cdn. Women's Auxillary was established and took over jobs as clerks, vehicle driver, messangers and canteen workers and only being paid 2/3 of the men's wages. July 31 1942 the Women's Royal Naval Serve was established. The navy wouldn't look at a woman who didn't have excellent references. The active role of women in war was not a new concept. Many didn't feel that women were suited for military life, but soon realized, "what would we have done without them!" Cdn. nurses became the first in the world to achieve officer status in May, 1942 and had close contact with Cdn military operations overseas. While serving in the military during WWII women did everything the men did. After the war many wanted to carry on their military careers. Those at home wished to continue working in the jobs that they had become comfortable in. Women had tasted freedom. In the 50s and 60s women continued to enter the workforce and the world would never be the same.

Answer 2

With most men out fighting on the battlefront, women began to experience independence and freedom when they entered the work force or earn their own money. Women were categorized into three areas: paid workers, military service, or homemakers. The homemakers was the most common category and the hardest. These women volunteered their time, as the government called them to do, and also had to take care of their children and home. Rationing also added to the pressure on their lives, but the amazing thing was that they didn't complain. They felt like they were making a difference in the homefront and helping out their beloved men on the battlefront. Many of the women volunteered at the local Red Cross, joined the Women's Land Army, or served refreshments at the local USO club. These women made a difference, despite the less-flattering image of a housemaker. Women played a vital role during WWII. THey often filled jobs their husbands and sons once had. For the first time women held jobs in record numbers. Sadly though, once the war was over, they lost their jobs due to men returning.

Answer 3

Consider them as stressful but rewarding at the sme time. The US was coming out of a long term an serious depression that was locked firmly into the mind of everuone. Good times and a good paycheck were somethin new. Work was non-traditional and the jobs were also non-tradional. Some women working in the industrial sector had disposable income for the first times in their lives. There were few luxury goods available to indulge in and rationing was everpresent. Hard and exhausting work was rewarding with economic freedom and a sense of true patriotism.

Answer 4

During WWII, women worked in a wide variety of areas as well as women's branches of the Armed Services. Mainly they were employed in factories, agriculture and administration; in roles previously taken by men of course.

[The UK's present Sovereign, Queen Elizabeth II, was simply Princess Elizabeth during WW2, and she played her part too as a driver in the Auxiliary services. There she learnt not only driving but also basic vehicle maintenance.]

Answer 5

In the war two things that women did were farmers and worked in large factories.

Answer 6

Women took over many jobs in factories, shipyards and farms, as well as working in many new munitions plants.

Answer 7

Durng WWII women had to work

Answer 8

There are Reality TV Shows called "The 1940s House" where a family is chose to go back and live as they did. How about you watch it? Lots of others also. Or "Coal House at War" with three families going make in time.

We can bet they were all praying to God lots more!