1. Increased Participation in Industrial and Manufacturing Jobs:
- Women entered manufacturing industries on a large scale, where they were employed in factories and assembly plants.
- They worked in industries producing war materials, such as airplanes, ships, munitions, and machinery.
2. Jobs in Transportation:
- Women were employed as bus and truck drivers, streetcar conductors, and even as pilots in the Women's Airforce Service Pilots (WASP).
3. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Roles:
- Women's contributions in STEM fields increased during the war.
- They worked as engineers, physicists, mathematicians, and technicians, contributing to research, development, and production.
4. Administrative and Leadership Positions:
- Some women advanced into administrative and leadership positions as men went to war.
- They held positions in government agencies, war-related industries, and community organizations.
5. Farm Work:
- With many farm laborers serving in the military, women became vital to maintaining agricultural production. They worked on farms and participated in the "Victory Garden" movement to grow food for their communities.
6. Military Service:
- While women could not engage directly in combat, the women's branches of the military, such as the Women's Army Corps (WAC) and Navy Women's Reserve (WAVES), provided a range of support services, freeing up men for combat roles.
7. Expansion of Roles in Healthcare:
- Women had expanded roles in healthcare beyond nursing, including as physicians, pharmacists, and physical therapists.
After World War II, some women continued to work in these nontraditional jobs, but the post-war economic shifts led to a decline in female labor participation in certain industries. Nevertheless, the war experience had a lasting impact on gender norms, paving the way for greater opportunities and equality for women in the workforce.