WORKING WOMEN DURING WORLD WAR

TWO

“Rosie the Riveter”

World War Two Facts

1939- 1945Began with the German

invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939

Between the Allies and the Axis Powers

The US became involved on December 7, 1941 with the attack at Pearl Harbor

Approximately 60 million causalities (40 million were civilians)

What Role Did Women Play

Factory workers Female labor force grew

by 6.5 million by 1944 Nurses Women’s branches of the

military Women’s Auxiliary Army

Corps (WAAC) Women Accepted for

Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES)

Traditional jobs such as secretaries and homemakers

Possible Media Literacy Questions

How is the woman depicted?

What is the connotations behind the slogan?

Was the slogan effective?

What is the significance of the colors used?

Real Life “Rosies”

http://www.nps.gov/pwro/collection/website/story.htm

http://www.loc.gov/rr/program/journey/rosie.html

These websites contain the stories of real life “Rosies.” The women who forever changed the role of women in the workforce.