As the Second World War was, from the US point of view, closer to the total war of the Civil War than was the First World War, female cooperation and participation were essential.
- The main change was the greater number of women who went to work.
The restrictions on women working that were made to protect men’s jobs fell away as factories and workshops needed labour for government contracts, and men were taken in increasing numbers into the armed forces.
The propaganda gave the impression of a considerable expansion of opportunity and responsibility for women, and there was a special Women’s Advisory Committee to advise on the utilisation of women for the war effort.
- The war saw an increase in women in state legislatures from 144 to 228.
There was some increase in women in Congress and women in public office, although it was not in any sense extensive.
- Women worked in more skilled jobs, rose to new challenges and may have increased in confidence and status.
- 100,000 women served in the armed forces.
A lot of women’s work was centred in ammunition factories. 37,000 women were killed in accidents in these factories during WW2.
