During World War II
Before the US had entered into World War II, the government had formed contracts with their allies, who were already actively involved in the war, providing them with equipment. Unexpectedly, the US had entered the war doubling the production necessary and leaving the factories without workers. Production had drastically changed: Auto factories were converted to airplane factories, shipyards were expanded, new factories were built, and yet all these facilities were at a loss for workers. At first, the companies didn't recognize the amount of workers they had lost, therefore hiring women hadn't crossed their mind. Quickly after, the government came to the realization that they were going to need women's assistance. This was an issue that not everyone approved on, but agreed that there was a dire need for workers and that women would just be a temporary replacement. But what they didn't understand was that women wouldn't accept their request so easily. Early into the war, the government issued their first attempt at recruiting, but the women were quick to decline their offer, most likely because they were nervous of taking over a job that had only been done by a man. The government was in a tough position and didn't know what exactly to do to woo the women. They ended up formulating a propaganda campaign that was aimed to lure women into the workforce. The government created a fictional character called "Rosie the Riveter" who represented an ideal women worker: trustworthy, devoted, proficient, and comely. This image was derived from the song "Rosie the Riveter" written during World War II. This song became very popular and was drafted by the government to represent the women working in war-related industries ("Rosie the Riveter: Women...").
Rosie to the Rescue
"Rosie the Riveter"
The first image of "Rosie the Riveter" appeared on the cover of Saturday Evening Post (which was a very popular magazine back then), on May 25, 1943. The artwork was created by renowned artist Norman Rockwell, but her prototype was actually created in 1942 by a song, "Rosie the Riveter", written by Redd Evans and John Jacob Loeb. Rosie was depicted with a musular body, pretty face, and a very determined outlook to influence women of that time to join the industrial work industry. Her persona was meant to represent those who were need to work in the munitions industry, but she quickly became the spokesperson for all working women during World War II. The slogan "We Can Do It" gave women the confidence that they needed to take the first step and show them that the government believed in their ability as well. With both the debut of the popular hit song along with the propaganda campaign, Rosie's name went down in history for promoting women strength and dominance ("Rosie the Riveter").
A male and female riveter work together on an airplane in 1942.
The First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt, was impressed with women working in the British armed forces, and eventually convinced General Marshall to include women in his army. Along with all of the other jobs, about 350,000 women joined the Armed Forces both abroad and at home. In May of 1942, Congress initiated the Women's Auxiliary Army Corps whose members, known as the WAC, worked in over 200 non-fighting jobs in every city and theater of the war. The organization became shortened to Women' Army Corps and there were about 100,000 WAC's, 6,000 of which were officers, by 1945. The Navy, the Coast Guard, and the Marines all followed the WAC's example and began accepting women for volunteer help.
Women also flew planes through the Women's Airforce Service Pilots, or WASPs. Those who were pilots had to have earned their license before the war and were among the first women to have flown and airplane in the military. They had many tasks they had to perform including carrying planes from factories to military bases and transferring precious cargo. Of the 1,000 and some women who were pilots during the war, 38 had died and didn't receive any military honor or privileges until 1977 when the WASP's had been given full military status ("American Women in Word War II").
When women began working, the men had no respect for them since the jobs they would be taking over had always been done by men. The biggest issue during this time was changing the men's perspective of women. Women's need's, issues, or desires always came after the men's, therefore they weren't given much attention. Women were also not given positions that were high up in the company, so they had no control over the decision making portion of the companies. Over time, men began to realize how committed the women were and started to give them the respect they always deserved. The women had proved that they could contribute as much or even more than the men ("Rosie the Riveter: Women..."). A headline from Business Week of May 1942 stated that "Surveys show they [women] not only can do the job but that they often do it better. Obstacles to employment are giving way." But unfortunately, most women worked extremely long hours and infrequently received more than 50% of what men's wages (Mandel).
Women also flew planes through the Women's Airforce Service Pilots, or WASPs. Those who were pilots had to have earned their license before the war and were among the first women to have flown and airplane in the military. They had many tasks they had to perform including carrying planes from factories to military bases and transferring precious cargo. Of the 1,000 and some women who were pilots during the war, 38 had died and didn't receive any military honor or privileges until 1977 when the WASP's had been given full military status ("American Women in Word War II").
When women began working, the men had no respect for them since the jobs they would be taking over had always been done by men. The biggest issue during this time was changing the men's perspective of women. Women's need's, issues, or desires always came after the men's, therefore they weren't given much attention. Women were also not given positions that were high up in the company, so they had no control over the decision making portion of the companies. Over time, men began to realize how committed the women were and started to give them the respect they always deserved. The women had proved that they could contribute as much or even more than the men ("Rosie the Riveter: Women..."). A headline from Business Week of May 1942 stated that "Surveys show they [women] not only can do the job but that they often do it better. Obstacles to employment are giving way." But unfortunately, most women worked extremely long hours and infrequently received more than 50% of what men's wages (Mandel).
The following document is an passage from "Since You Went Away: World War II Letters" sent from a woman, Renee, to her husband who is abroad fighting for his country.