The idea of women at work during World War II was not utterly new. In the previous years of World War I, women were nursing sisters, volunteers, and there were even some women in the Navy. Before "the war to end all wars", work was considered a man's job. Normally, a woman's place was in the house tending to her children, and doing housework such as cleaning and cooking. If a lady had a job, the job would usually be as a teacher, librarian, sales clerk, or secretary but it would never require hard labor. (Encarta 98; World Book Encyclopedia; World at War, p.31)

As World War II came around however, the situation changed. Men were starting to be drafted as part of the air force, military, and other war related jobs. Men left their working positions to answer their call of duty, therefore leaving many empty jobs. Since there was such a shortage of workers, some immigrants took vacant jobs, but many more workers were still needed. The lack of employees led to advertisements encouraging women get a job.

A job on the homefront was less dangerous and yet very helpful. Women could become a volunteer, or get paid for their job. In World War II, nylon stockings had become rare because most of them were collected or donated to the army. Nylon stockings were sewed together to form a parachute for soldiers or pilots. Women also sold war bonds to raise money. Food was also another important need. Some women farmed or cooked food for soldiers and civilians. The Red Cross was an extremely important association. Volunteers manned blood banks which produced about five thousand pints of blood. They rolled two million bandages and packed sixteen million kits which contained candy, gum, and tobacco. (Women and War, p.14, 24; Those Incredible Women of World War II, p. 77, 78)

Women helped out during the war by holding an assortment of jobs. Some helped the war directly by forming associations such as WACs (Women Army Corps), WRENS (Women's Royal Naval Service), and the CWAC (Canadian Women's Auxiliary Corps). Other women made an effort during the war indirectly by becoming journalists, mail carriers, gas station attendants, elevator operators, and farmers. Women also helped take people's minds off the war by entertaining them. Some jobs to entertain were film stars, dancers, and singers. (America Prepares for War, p.23; Women and War, p. 6; http://www.valourandhorror.com/DB/ISSUE/women/index.htm)

http://www.valourandhorror.com/DB/ISSUE/Women/index.htm

However, if a married woman became pregnant, she would be dismissed. If a single woman became pregnant, she got a dishonorable discharge. In associations like the ones mentioned, women worked to prove that they could do anything a man could do. No women ever official or legally fought in the war, yet dead bodies of women were found where battles had taken place. (http://www.valourandhorror.com/DB/ISSUE/women/index.htm; Those Incredible Women of World War II, p.35, 37, 41; World War II Homefronts, p.52)

Some common words found in the essay are:
War II, World War, Rosie Riveter, Women War, II United, Corps Women, Auxiliary Corps, world war, Press Club, Red Cross, world war ii, war ii, Margaret Corbin, women world, women world war, incredible women world, incredible women, rosie riveter, women war, women job, encarta 98, world book encyclopedia, auxiliary corps women, becoming pilot, woman pregnant,
Approximate Word count = 1564
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)