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Women's Role Before WWII Employment
This time span didn't begin or end on a specific day; however, we can assume that attitudes changed when a need for women in the war effort became apparent. Before World War II, women in America either remained at home, or worked in nursing or secretary jobs. The general opinion at the time was that men should be the ones working, and women should stay home and do "women's work". -
Japan Attacks Pearl Harbor
Japanese aircrafts sent to Oahu, Hawaii, bomb Pearl Harbor. This surprise attack on the Americans prompted their involvement in World War II. Pearl Harbor. 1941. Photograph. Corbis, Oahu, Hawaii. -
Congress Declares War
Franklin Roosevelt asks for war on Japan, and Congress approves it. Germany and Italy then delcare war on the U.S. "3000 Casualties In Jap Attack; 2 U.S. Warships, Planes Lost." Fitchburg Sentinel [Fitchburg, Massachusetts] 8 Dec. 1941: n. pag. Print. -
Rosie the Riveter
This iconic propaganda was created in 1942 by artist J. Howard Miller. He was originally hired by Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company to create a poster encouraging their employees. Once more women joined the war effort it became an inspiration around the country. It didn't adopt its name until after the song titled "Rosie the Riveter" was written:
http://rosietheriveter.umw.edu/rosie-the-riveter-song/ Miller, J. Howard. We Can Do It! 1942. Poster. -
April 18, 1942
The War Manpower Commission was established by Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1943. Its purpose was to increase employment in industries such as agriculture or industrial manufacturing. It was needed because the men working in these industries were called to war, and the government needed to recruit and train employees for these jobs. This gave the American women an opportunity do their part for their country. War Manpower Commission Meeting. 1942. Photograph. United States Office of War Information. -
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Women in the Production Line
During this time span, women were encouraged to apply for war jobs. This became turning point in history considering most women of that era had not worked outside of home. During World War II, the number of women working in nontraditional settings increased dramatically. In 1943, the percentage of women in the aircraft industry jumped from 1 percent to 65 percent when more than 310,000 women worked there. After women were employed, the total industrial production doubled. -
War Manpower Commission Flyer
This link will lead you to a flyer published by the War Manpower Commission. It was directed towards American women to persuade them to join the war effort. http://research.archives.gov/description/281500 Office for Emergency Management. War Manpower Commission. War Manpower Job Flyer Promoting Women to Register for War Jobs. 1942. Print. -
Riveter at Lockheed Aircraft Corp.
This photograph shows one of the many women during World War II that worked in the aircraft industry. This specific employee worked as a riveter, which is someone who hammers in the pins holding together two plates of metal. Department of Labor. Women's Bureau. Riveter at Lockheed Aircraft Corp. N.d. Photograph. Women Working In Industry, 1940 - 1945, Burbank, California. -
Welder Trainee Josie Lucille Owens
This picture shows Josie Lucille Owens working on the Liberty Ship, SS George Washington Carver. The ship was laid down on April 12, 1943, and it was launched on May 7, 1943. Lucille was one of many women who worked in shipyards during World War II. These women not only worked on the ships themselves, but some also became managers of the shipyards. Joseph, Emmanuel F. Welder-trainee Josie Lucille Owens. 1943. Photograph. Office of War Information, Richmond, California. -
Baby Boom
the birth rate in America skyrocketed in 1941 and lasted until about 1944. between 1944 and 1945 it went back down again due to the over 12 million men in uniform. after the war it continued increasing until reaching its peak in the late 1950s. -
Japan's Surrender
Japanese foreign affairs minister Mamoru Shigemitsu signed the Japanese Instrument of Surrender on the deck of the battleship the USS Missouri Japan Surrenders. 1945. Photograph. National Archives, Tokyo Bay.
