Women in the Workforce During WWII

During WWII, women entered the workforce in large numbers, often in roles traditionally held by men. While propaganda romanticized their contributions, many faced discrimination and occupational segregation. Unions played a significant role in advocating for equal wages, though seniority benefits were often reserved for men. African American women faced additional challenges, including dangerous work conditions. The Brooklyn Navy Yard serves as a historical example of women's contributions during this era.

What was the primary type of job that most women entered during the 1940s?

• Entrepreneurial ventures

• Military combat roles

• Low-level and entry-level jobs

• High-level executive positions

By the end of the war, what percentage of clerical workers were female?

• 30%

• 90%

• 50%

• 70%

What was one of the roles that African American women moved into during the war?

• Military combat roles

• Nursing jobs

• Executive positions

• Entrepreneurial ventures

What was the government's approach to women's roles during the war?

• Discouraging women from working

• Promoting women to supervisory roles

• Maintaining occupational segregation

• Encouraging women to take on all types of jobs

What was the propaganda message to women about their work in factories?

• It was a temporary necessity

• It was an extension of their family roles

• It was completely different from home tasks

• It was a permanent career change

What was a common challenge faced by women entering jobs previously held by men?

• Excessive training opportunities

• Discrimination and reluctance from male workers

• Overqualification for the roles

• Lack of interest in the jobs

What was a significant gain for women from trade unions during the war?

• Immediate promotion to supervisory roles

• Permanent job security

• Equal wages for equal work

• Access to military combat roles

What was the purpose of Maintenance of Membership contracts?

• To provide free training for women

• To exclude women from unions

• To promote women to leadership positions

• To ensure all employees joined the union

What was the ideal job for women like Rosie the Riveter during the war?

• A job in a war plant or ship-building enterprise

• A high-level executive position

• A role in the entertainment industry

• A position in the culinary field

What did the Brooklyn Historical Society preserve records of?

• Men who worked in the navy yard

• Economic policies of the 1940s

• Women who worked at the navy yard

• Military strategies during the war