During World War I, millions of American women entered the workforce to fill jobs traditionally held by men who had been called to serve in the armed forces. Women worked in factories, munitions plants, shipyards, and other industries, often doing difficult and dangerous work. They also served as nurses, doctors, and other medical personnel; some even saw combat. The war gave women the chance to prove their abilities in the workforce, and after the war, they continued to work more and more jobs traditionally held by men.