Historical Figures

How did world war 2 change the role of women?

1. World War II led to a significant increase in the number of women in the workforce, as men were called to serve in the military. Women took on jobs traditionally held by men, such as factory work, shipbuilding, and transportation.

2. The war also led to the expansion of women's rights and opportunities. In 1942, the United States Congress passed the Equal Pay Act, which prohibited gender-based wage discrimination. In 1944, the United States Supreme Court ruled in United States v. Morin that women had the same right to vote as men.

3.After the war, many women continued to work outside the home, and the number of women in the workforce continued to grow. By 1950, women made up nearly 34% of the labor force.

4.World War II also had a significant impact on women's roles in the military. Women served in a variety of roles during the war, including as nurses, pilots, and intelligence officers. The war also led to the establishment of the Women's Army Corps (WAC) and the Women's Auxiliary Army Corps (WAAC).

5.The changes that occurred during World War II laid the foundation for the women's movement in the United States and around the world. Women who had worked during the war gained a new sense of independence and confidence. They were no longer willing to accept the traditional roles that society had assigned to them.