American Women in 1930-1950
Women in the Great Depression
The next
decade was a challenge for the whole nation. The Depression brought overnight
the carefree age of the flapper to its end. The women’s freedom in choosing
between job and household was again considered as a needless luxury for the
womankind. In spite of the fact that many jobs proved to be “the women’s ones”,
like teaching, nursing, in secretary and telephoning, according to the
widespread opinion, a woman belonged at home. In the hard times for the whole
nation she should better not have competed with men in her career, stealing
workplaces from men and distracting them from providing the families5. One of
the key concerns of the women’s movements of that time was equal salary for
women in comparison to men when accomplishing the same work.
When thinking about outstanding women of that period, the name that inevitably comes to the mind is Eleanor Roosevelt. She contributed to the history of women in the US and changed the role of the president’s wife forever.
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Eleanor Roosevelt represented the interests of the nation’s women on the highest level. In her article “What ten million women want” dated 1932 she goes upon the main desires of women in public life. She argued that women did not want to take the leading public positions, but they could still serve their country working for it. She claimed that “all government … is simply glorified housekeeping” and “budgets are something all women understand”. Mrs. Roosevelt saw the duty of every woman in “awakening” and conscious carrying responsibilities for the future of the country.
When thinking about outstanding women of that period, the name that inevitably comes to the mind is Eleanor Roosevelt. She contributed to the history of women in the US and changed the role of the president’s wife forever.
Click here to watch a video
Eleanor Roosevelt represented the interests of the nation’s women on the highest level. In her article “What ten million women want” dated 1932 she goes upon the main desires of women in public life. She argued that women did not want to take the leading public positions, but they could still serve their country working for it. She claimed that “all government … is simply glorified housekeeping” and “budgets are something all women understand”. Mrs. Roosevelt saw the duty of every woman in “awakening” and conscious carrying responsibilities for the future of the country.
“They can be active factors in the life of their communities and shape the future, or they can drift along and hide behind the men. Today is a challenge to women. Tomorrow will see how they answer the challenge!”
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Women In The Family
What concerns the woman's position in the family, it came to the traditions again. The independent lifestyle of the flapper was swept away by the wind of change. In the hard time for the whole nation, women of America were supposed to take care of the children and do the household so that the family could survive inspite of the depressed economy. Although the woman became more involved in society, her primary role was still being behind her man.
The illustrated tips for single women from one of the magazines dated 1938:
The illustrated tips for single women from one of the magazines dated 1938:
* Provided by visualthirst.wordpress.com
Women In The Second World War
When the World War II
swept across the world, the whole country was challenged again. The war
equipment production increased tremendously and very soon it became clear that
women workers need to be hired, as the men were leaving for the service. The
government decided to launch a propaganda campaign to encourage women to
recruiting. The most famous symbol of the war-time women was a fiction
character Rosie the Riveter. The poster of a beautiful strong woman at the work
with a title “We can do it” saw the world in 1943 and was later given the name
Rosie from the patriotic song of the war time.
An extract from the Boston Post article, dated 1943:
“These devoted women are no mere spectators. They are a part of the show whether in the offices or out doing the men’s job… Actually the women workers are greatly outnumbered by the men and compose about 30 percent of the civilian force… Women drivers tooling tow tractors to draw other vehicles up to waiting ships, wind through the traffic lanes on the pier, keeping up with army locomotives which are switching cars ceaselessly back and forth. There are women with paint brushes and spray guns, girls with hair securely folded under cloth hats who climb in and under automobiles as grease monkeys. The mystery is how neat and tidy these girls in slacks these girls manage to keep themselves. Smudges and goo would cover the averageman in no time… Men workers team up fine with the girls for there isn’t a laggard among them. They are earnest and do not spare themselves at the hard work. For it they are adequately paid… A year ago there were no women in the transportation division other than as clerks. Now they are everywhere, including 13 percent of the “tallymen” and 37 percent of the tractor operators… A partial roster of women workers is like a cross section of war…” |
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During the war years, women were not only encouraged to do "the men's jobs", but also to join the army. According to the National Park Service, between 1942 and 1950, over 150,000 women were recruited in the Women's Army Auxilliary Corps (WAAC).
During the war years, women were not only encouraged to do "the men's jobs", but also to join the army. According to the National Park Service, between 1942 and 1950, over 150,000 women were recruited in the Women's Army Auxilliary Corps (WAAC).
* The pictures for the gallery provided by the blog envisioningtheamericandream.com
As more and more women entered the workforce, the attitude to their labor changed. They began to be praised by employers and propaganda.
However, when the prosperity of the 50s replaced the unquiet war time, many of the Rosies returned in the household. But the road taken by them continued into the future.
As more and more women entered the workforce, the attitude to their labor changed. They began to be praised by employers and propaganda.
However, when the prosperity of the 50s replaced the unquiet war time, many of the Rosies returned in the household. But the road taken by them continued into the future.
Bibliography
1. American Women in World War II. www.history.com
2. Barbara Sinclair Deckard, The Women's Movement: Political, Socioeconomic. and Psychological Issues. Third Edition. New York: Harper & Row, 1983.
3. Doris Weatherford. American Women during World War II. New York: Routledge, 2010.
4. John A. Garraty, The Great Depression. San Diego: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1986.
5. Mickey Moran, 1930s, America - Feminist Void? The status of the Equal Rights Movement during the Great Depression. The Student Historical Journal 1988-1989. www.loyno.edu
6. Olive Banks, Faces of Feminism. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1981.
7. Watkins, T.H. The Great Depression: America In the 1930s. New York: Little, Brown And Company, 1993.
2. Barbara Sinclair Deckard, The Women's Movement: Political, Socioeconomic. and Psychological Issues. Third Edition. New York: Harper & Row, 1983.
3. Doris Weatherford. American Women during World War II. New York: Routledge, 2010.
4. John A. Garraty, The Great Depression. San Diego: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1986.
5. Mickey Moran, 1930s, America - Feminist Void? The status of the Equal Rights Movement during the Great Depression. The Student Historical Journal 1988-1989. www.loyno.edu
6. Olive Banks, Faces of Feminism. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1981.
7. Watkins, T.H. The Great Depression: America In the 1930s. New York: Little, Brown And Company, 1993.