Women played important roles supporting the war effort during World War I. When men left jobs to join the military, women began working in factories previously dominated by men. They faced lower pay and unhealthy conditions. Women also served as nurses, drivers, and operators to support the troops abroad. Their expanded contributions created momentum for the women's suffrage movement. The 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote after the war in recognition of their sacrifices.
Women played important roles supporting the war effort during World War I. When men left jobs to join the military, women began working in factories previously dominated by men. They faced lower pay and unhealthy conditions. Women also served as nurses, drivers, and operators to support the troops abroad. Their expanded contributions created momentum for the women's suffrage movement. The 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote after the war in recognition of their sacrifices.
Women played important roles supporting the war effort during World War I. When men left jobs to join the military, women began working in factories previously dominated by men. They faced lower pay and unhealthy conditions. Women also served as nurses, drivers, and operators to support the troops abroad. Their expanded contributions created momentum for the women's suffrage movement. The 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote after the war in recognition of their sacrifices.
Women played important roles supporting the war effort during World War I. When men left jobs to join the military, women began working in factories previously dominated by men. They faced lower pay and unhealthy conditions. Women also served as nurses, drivers, and operators to support the troops abroad. Their expanded contributions created momentum for the women's suffrage movement. The 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote after the war in recognition of their sacrifices.
pdf Women in WWI Today, you will learn about the roles women took on during World War I to support the war effort. On this presentation, some words will be underlined. Write these words in the appropriate blank on your worksheet. Before WWI Before WWI, men mostly worked in Women mostly were “homemakers” or factories and businesses. They went “housewives.” They stayed home to take outside the house to earn money for the care of the children and cook meals for family. their husband.
Here, men are working in a Ford factory
on an assembly line to make a car. Before WWI Women mostly were “housewives.” They stayed home to take care of the children and cook meals for their husband.
Here, we see an advertisement showing a
woman in the kitchen. Before WWI Women were not allowed to vote or join the military to fight in combat.
Some people said women were physically
weaker, women’s brains were inferior to men’s brains, and women would neglect their homes. The Military After Congress declared war on Germany, very few men volunteered to join the military.
Congress passed the Selective Service Act
of 1917, which meant men aged 21-30 years old had to register for the draft. The Military THINK:
Why do you think so many people did not
volunteer for the military before the draft?
How do you think the economy was
impacted when men left to fight in World War I? Women in factories When men joined the war, they left behind jobs in the factories. Despite some hesitancy, factory owners started to hire women to work in the factories. Women also took other jobs that were previously “men’s jobs.”
Here, we see women working in a
munitions, or weapons, factory in the US. Women in factories This trend also happened internationally. Here, we see a female mechanic fixing an airplane in France.
THINK: What issues do you think women might have faced while working in the factories? Women in factories Women faced many issues while working in the factories.
● Women were paid less than men for the
same time, sometimes half the wages of men. ● Women worked in unhealthy conditions. In munitions factories, women had to deal with acid fumes that hurt their lungs and turned their skin yellow. Women at home Some women remained housewives, and they were asked to sign a pledge card. This card said women would:
“carry out the directions and advice
of the Food Administrator in the conduct of my household, in so far as my circumstances permit.” Women in the military Women supported the war abroad in many ways. ● Women joined the Red Cross and the Army Nurse Corps, becoming volunteer nurses and ambulance drivers in England and France. ● Women enlisted in the Navy as “Yeomen”, working as munitions workers and telephone operators. Joy Hancock was one of the first women to enlist in the Navy. Women in the military Women supported the war abroad in many ways. ● Some women, known as the “Hello Girls,” served as telephone switchboard operators because they could speak English and French. Over nine million women joined the war effort. Women still faced issues, however. They sometimes did not receive military benefits, and they often received reduced pay. After WWI
Remember: Who fought for women’s suffrage in the
1800s?
Think: Do you think women’s increased role in the war
effort helped or hurt their fight for suffrage? Why? After WWI President Woodrow Wilson, after the war, asked Congress to pass an amendment for women’s suffrage. He believed if women sacrificed themselves for the war effort, they should be able to vote.
The 19th Amendment was ratified in 1920, and it
gave all women the right to vote.
Yet, many still experienced discrimination,
especially Black women. Reflection
Think: How did women help the war effort?
Think: How were women impacted due to their support for
