1. Domestic Work:
- Maids: Women worked as maids in households, performing various tasks such as cooking, cleaning, laundry, and childcare.
2. Factory Work:
- Textile Industry: Women were employed in textile mills, working on spinning and weaving machines.
- Garment Industry: They also found work in garment factories, sewing and assembling clothing.
- Munitions Factories: During the lead-up to World War I, women began to work in munitions factories, contributing to the war effort.
3. Nursing:
- Nursing: Women played a crucial role in nursing, providing care to the sick and wounded, particularly during the war.
- Midwifery: Skilled women served as midwives, assisting in childbirth and providing antenatal and postnatal care.
4. Clerical Work:
- Secretarial Positions: Women were often employed as secretaries, typists, and office clerks.
5. Education:
- Teaching: Women worked as teachers, primarily in elementary and primary schools.
- Governesses: Some women served as governesses, providing education and care for children in wealthy families.
6. Retail and Service:
- Shop Assistants: Women worked as shop assistants in retail stores, selling goods and serving customers.
- Domestic Service: They also worked as housekeepers, cooks, and general domestic helpers in larger households.
7. Agriculture:
- Farm Labor: Women often helped with farm work, especially during harvest seasons, alongside male family members.
8. Laundry and Cleaning Services:
- Laundresses: Women worked as laundresses, washing and ironing clothes for clients.
- Cleaning Women: They also offered cleaning services in homes and offices.
9. Charitable and Social Work:
- Volunteers: Women engaged in charitable and social work, supporting organizations that addressed social issues and provided aid to the needy.
10. Performing Arts:
- Actresses and Singers: Talented women found opportunities as actresses, singers, and performers in the entertainment industry.
It's important to note that opportunities for women varied across different societies, socioeconomic classes, and cultures. Despite certain limitations and societal barriers, many women made significant contributions to society and the economy before World War I, laying the groundwork for greater advancements in women's rights and employment in later years.