Tried, Tested, and Transformed
How the War Impacted Females Factory Workers
Women & Factories
I was just a regular Canadian house wife living in peaceful Manitoba until a domino effect events and propaganda ending up persuading my husband to join the war. Eagerly, I was there for women and helped shape our image by joining the war as a munition factory worker. I was ready to show the country what we were capable of - one built weapon at a time.
TRIED: 1914-1918
The Great War was certainly a bloody, horrible, conflict that I even believe it will go down in Canadian history. Many of us women faced difficulties without our loved ones by our sides. Some of us never saw their faces again. Disregarding these tragedies, this war brought new opportunities for women too. Facing sexism, deaths, and danger, us women pulled through and changed the views of Canadian women forever.
Click here to learn about my ups and downs as a female factory worker during The Great War.
Materials
We transported heavy, dangerous materials.
Munition Factories
Here I am assembling a munition.
Uniforms
Women worked in sewing factories to make uniforms.
TESTED: 1919-1923
After the war, a few factory workers were no longer needed and were let go. Men even replaced the jobs. Though women were still being of employed because of how "cheap" we were to the companies. This shift in gender roles took some getting used to, but by the end of the war, women had proved to themselves and to the country that they could do any job a man could—and do it well! It may have been the end of the war, but the start of our rights.
One Big Union
I joined the trade union to speak up for my rights.
Winnipeg General Strike
The Winnipeg Strike was an important event that pushed others to stand up for their rights.
Bloody Saturday
The shooting of the RCMP was uncalled for, and a disgrace for Canada has a land of "freedom".
TRANSFORMED: 1924-1929
The late 1920s involved new jobs and new rights for women. The war was long gone and Canada was starting to build a new and better reputation. Female political changes included rights to run in the Senate. Us women were transformed socially when we began training for sports. New jobs were made were women and we won the right to be included as "people". But that all had started to go down with the black market excelling the real economy.
Click here to view my scrapbook of memories of these few years.
Prohibition
Drinking was legalized in Canada. Many men would sneak it across the border and sell it.
Clothing
The ways women dress were starting to get more casual, loose and shorter.
Factory Work
Work was still as tedious, but new laws were made to insure a maximum amount of hours.