American women also contributed significantly to the war effort as members of the military. Approximately 21,000 women served in the U.S. Army, where they worked as nurses, telephone operators, and interpreters, among other positions. Another 12,000 women joined the U.S. Navy, where they worked in the hospital corps, as "yeomen" (administrative assistants), and as "storekeepers."
In addition to their work in factories and the military, American women also played a major role in the home front during World War I. They formed organizations to support the troops, such as the Red Cross and the YMCA. They also worked in food conservation programs to ensure that soldiers were properly fed.
The contributions of American women to World War I were significant and lasting. They helped to change the way that women were perceived in the United States, and they paved the way for greater gender equality in the years that followed.
Specific gains made by American women during World War I include:
* Increased job opportunities. American women found employment in a wide variety of jobs that had previously been closed to them, including factory work, construction, and law enforcement.
* Improved wages. Women earned higher wages during World War I than they had before the war, as employers were forced to compete for scarce female workers.
* Greater social and political participation. Women played an important role in the war effort through volunteer organizations and patriotic activities. They also won the right to vote in 1920, in part due to their contributions during the war.
* Increased awareness of women's capabilities. The war showed that women were capable of handling jobs that had traditionally been considered too difficult or dangerous for them. This led to a greater appreciation of women's capabilities and skills.
* Increased suffrage movement. The work that women did during the war helped to advance the suffrage movement, which was campaigning for women's right to vote. Many people who had previously opposed suffrage began to support it after seeing the important contributions that women made during the war.
The gains made by American women during World War I were significant and lasting. They helped to change the role of women in society and laid the foundation for future progress on issues such as equal rights and gender equality.