During World War II many women had to take on roles that they never done had before. The men going away to fight left a huge demand for employment. Rosie the Riveter was a national icon and one of the most successful propaganda campaigns, who is responsible for recruited many women to apply for jobs. Before the war, in year 1940, many women had jobs outside the home, except they were traditional women professions. World War II was the first time women had jobs in defense plants and factories. Five million women entered the workforce between 1940-1945. Women were making more money than they ever had before, but they still were being paid less than men for doing the same jobs. Women found their new sense of financial self alliance alluring and enticing and many didn’t want to lose their jobs once their husbands came home.
There were many setbacks women had to overcome during this time. Mothers faced many challenges finding childcare. President Franklin Roosevelt approved the first US government childcare facilities under the Community Facilities Act of 1942. Seven childcare centers were put up, they serviced around 105,000 children. The First Lady (Eleanor Roosevelt) urged industry leaders to build childcare facilities for their workers. The need for childcare for working mothers was still not entirely met even with these efforts.
Another challenge many women faced was cultural stereotypes. Rosie the Riveter helped to show that women could still stay feminine when doing men’s work. Some industries even offered lessons on applying makeup, because making sure American women always looked their best was believed to be important for morale. Minority women faced particular difficulties. African American women had a very challenging time finding jobs in the defense industry. When they were employed, white women often didn’t want to work with them. Japanese American women had similar challenges.
In addition to factory work and other home front jobs 350,000 women joined the Armed Services. Another role American women had during the years of war was the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots. These women became the first women to fly American military aircrafts. Although this role was lesser known, it was extremely important. Since women were the ones transporting cargo and ferrying planes from factory bases, they allowed more men to participate in active war duty. More than 1,000 Women’s Airforce Service Pilots served, and 38 of them lost their lives during the war. Many women also worked in a variety of civil service jobs. Some worked as chemists and engineers, developing weapons for the war. World War II triggered another feminist movement and made women realize that they could rely on themselves for money.
There were many setbacks women had to overcome during this time. Mothers faced many challenges finding childcare. President Franklin Roosevelt approved the first US government childcare facilities under the Community Facilities Act of 1942. Seven childcare centers were put up, they serviced around 105,000 children. The First Lady (Eleanor Roosevelt) urged industry leaders to build childcare facilities for their workers. The need for childcare for working mothers was still not entirely met even with these efforts.
Another challenge many women faced was cultural stereotypes. Rosie the Riveter helped to show that women could still stay feminine when doing men’s work. Some industries even offered lessons on applying makeup, because making sure American women always looked their best was believed to be important for morale. Minority women faced particular difficulties. African American women had a very challenging time finding jobs in the defense industry. When they were employed, white women often didn’t want to work with them. Japanese American women had similar challenges.
In addition to factory work and other home front jobs 350,000 women joined the Armed Services. Another role American women had during the years of war was the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots. These women became the first women to fly American military aircrafts. Although this role was lesser known, it was extremely important. Since women were the ones transporting cargo and ferrying planes from factory bases, they allowed more men to participate in active war duty. More than 1,000 Women’s Airforce Service Pilots served, and 38 of them lost their lives during the war. Many women also worked in a variety of civil service jobs. Some worked as chemists and engineers, developing weapons for the war. World War II triggered another feminist movement and made women realize that they could rely on themselves for money.