The role of American Women in WW2
By: Payton Adams & Mackenzie Dearing
American women during World War 2 significantly helped America win the war.
Women in their Homes
Women were always the manager of the home. the shortage of domestic resources effected women more heavily,as they had to take care of that. Women shopping as well as making meals for their families became more difficult, because of ration stamps and other rationing methods. This also effected women working outside of the homes, instead of taking care of their families. There were many propaganda campaigns that encouraged women to grow their own food in gardens (victory gardens), sew up clothes instead of buying new ones, walk to the store instead of driving a car. Doing these would raise money to contribute to war bonds, and to contribute to the war effort just in general, through sacrifice on the homefront.
Elenor Roosevelt
"Rosie the Riveter"
In 1943 women held 65% of jobs, compared to the 1% in the pre war years. One of the main reasons this happened was because of the famous "Rosie The Riveter" recruitment campaign. This was based partly off of a real character, but it was a primarily fictitious character. This campaign was one of the most successful recruitment campaigns. It was advertised in many different forms, and was placed all around the US. This campaign helped stress the importance of women entering the workforce.
Women's Auxiliary Corps(WAC)
-How did it impact? RESEARCH
Women Accepted For Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES)
This group held the same social status as the US Navy Reserve. They provided Support in, and all around the border of the United States.
-Research more about what it did, and how it helped us win war.
Women's Air force Service Pilots (WASPs)
This was only for women who already had a pilot's license. They were the first group of women to ever fly military aircraft. This group transported planes from factories and bases via ferry. One reason this group was very significant to the outcome of the war was that it freed many male workers from their jobs, so they could fight at war. More than 1,000 women served in this group and over 38 of them lost their lives. However they did not receive much recognition because they were considered civil service employees. They also were granted no military honors or benefits. However in 1977, they earned full military status.
~Interesting fact: They attended a ceremony in the capitol, on march 10th 2010, and received the congressional gold medal; one of the highest civilian honors~