Women's Roles In Ww2

For centuries, women had been seen as stay-at-home-mothers and housewives. They were seen as not being equal to men. Higher education for women was accepted among their peers but not in the workforce. Cut off from their own means of income led many women to ration food and other staples at home. Women learned to feed a family on what little food was available. However, war was aproaching for America in 1939-1941. A revolution was about to occur in which the role of women would be changed forever.

On Sunday, December 7, 1941, a beautiful sunny day in Hawaii, the sounds of fighter planes and bombs rang out. The fear among all would soon be near as the news of Pearl Harbor's attack by Japanese fighter planes was announced. Disruption for

Limitations were put on women’s opportunities for religion, race, class, sexuality and age. As the war continued, the women on the home-front stayed busy with numerous activities. In the community women raised money for war bonds. They raised children and often mourned for those whose lives were lost. These activities would keep the women busy, not being able to focus on the reality of home life. Food and supply ration was on a high. Women weighed less and children were suffering from hunger. All while the women in the war zone were becoming prisoners of war (POW’s). Some women, like Betty Grable and Rita Hayworth, would take pictures of themselves and send to the men in the war zone. These women became personal pinup girls and played an important role in men's lives in the war, as the pictures reminded them of life before the war and left them to believe life on the home-front was normal.

A group was organized called the United States Organization (USO), women volunteers were used as entertainment for the servicemen. This kind of work was not to challenge men’s masculinity, but to appear as uncompetitive with the men. The women’s selflessness would make the men happy and hold order in war (The War

Women of color with limited training, were endured racial slurs and physical attacks in factories, while getting paid less than white women. These women found their biggest challenge being between work life and home. Women at this time was encouraged to treat all jobs as a war job. Many saw feminization as an employment ranking, as well as a risk to employers. Employers had man concerns of safety for the women workers. These concerns led to Women in War Industries established by Secretary of Labor Frances Perkins (The War 1941-1945). This would become a great force for all women across the country. Health and beauty needs would be added to work place environments for women. Soaps and sanitary supplies in restrooms were now being provided. This comfort would not be used to ensure a women’s place but merely to ensure a women’s stay in the workforce.

Also in 1943, the United States Marine Corps Women Reserve (USMCWR) was established by Eleanor Roosevelt for those women who volunteered to go into the war zone. These "Angels of Mercy" nurses and care givers would now have the opportunity to have uniforms, march in formation, and be promoted. This would mean women were considered part of the military. As women into all-male positions, discrimination against women would once again become an issue. Men were afraid women would become "mannish". Lesbian rumors began to circulate (The