Women, Work, and WWII- Weighing the Options
Weighing the Evidence
All documents and text associated with this activity are printed below, followed by a worksheet for student responses.Introduction
During WWII many women had to make tough decisions. Should they stay at home with their family, or join the others and help their country win the war by taking men's places at their jobs while they were off at war? Some women didn't have a choice. They had to provide for their families. There were negatives and positives to each decision. In this activity you will weigh those options based on the primay source documents (photographs). Interpret each closely. Is it a positive, or a negative? Which arguement does it support?Name:
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Worksheet
Women, Work, and WWII- Weighing the Options
Weighing the Evidence
Examine the documents and text included in this activity. Consider how each document does or does not support two opposing interpretations or conclusions. Fill in the topic or interpretations if they are not provided. To show how the documents support the different interpretations, enter the corresponding document number into the boxes near the interpretation. Write your conclusion response in the space provided. Interpretation 1
The men went off to war. Women went to work in order to support their families and to show their patriotism. They became strong and independent.
The men went off to war. Women went to work in order to support their families and to show their patriotism. They became strong and independent.
Women, Work and WWII- Weighing the options!
Interpretation 2
Women were needed at home to raise the children and take care of household duties while their men were off at war. Their place was at home.
Women were needed at home to raise the children and take care of household duties while their men were off at war. Their place was at home.
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Women, Work, and WWII- Weighing the Options
Weighing the Evidence
After you have weighed the options. Write a one page summary describing your findings. Make sure you reference the pictures in your summary as support for your findings.Your Response
Document
Auxiliaries Ruth Wade and Lucille Mayo (left to right) further demonstrate their ability to service trucks as taught them during the processing period at Fort Des Moines and put into practice at Fort Huachuca, Arizona.
12/8/1942
The caption for this photo reads: Auxiliaries Ruth Wade and Lucille Mayo (left to right) further demonstrate their ability to service trucks as taught them during the processing period at Fort Des Moines and put into practice at Fort Huachuca, Arizona.
This primary source comes from the Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer.
National Archives Identifier: 531153
Full Citation: Photograph 111-SC-162466; Auxiliaries Ruth Wade and Lucille Mayo (left to right) further demonstrate their ability to service trucks as taught them during the processing period at Fort Des Moines and put into practice at Fort Huachuca, Arizona.; 12/8/1942; Photographs of American Military Activities, ca. 1918 - ca. 1981; Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer, ; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/auxiliaries-service-trucks, April 30, 2024]Auxiliaries Ruth Wade and Lucille Mayo (left to right) further demonstrate their ability to service trucks as taught them during the processing period at Fort Des Moines and put into practice at Fort Huachuca, Arizona.
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Answering the nation's need for womanpower, Mrs. Virginia Davis made arrangements for the care of her two children during the day and joined her husband at work in the Naval Air Base in Corpus Christi, Texas.
8/1942
The caption for this photo reads: Answering the nation's need for womanpower, Mrs. Virginia Davis made arrangements for the care of her two children during the day and joined her husband at work in the Naval Air Base in Corpus Christi, Texas.
This primary source comes from the Collection FDR-PHOCO: Franklin D. Roosevelt Library Public Domain Photographs.
National Archives Identifier: 196351
Full Citation: Photograph PHOCO-A-65716(17); Answering the nation's need for womanpower, Mrs. Virginia Davis made arrangements for the care of her two children during the day and joined her husband at work in the Naval Air Base in Corpus Christi, Texas.; 8/1942; Franklin D. Roosevelt Library Public Domain Photographs, 1882 - 1962; Collection FDR-PHOCO: Franklin D. Roosevelt Library Public Domain Photographs, ; Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, NY. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/womanpower, April 30, 2024]Answering the nation's need for womanpower, Mrs. Virginia Davis made arrangements for the care of her two children during the day and joined her husband at work in the Naval Air Base in Corpus Christi, Texas.
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We Can Do It!
ca. 1942 - 1943
This now iconic poster was designed by artist J. Howard Miller and commissioned by the Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company. Though today the poster is often identified as "Rosie the Riveter," the "We Can Do It" poster was originally displayed for just two weeks in 1943 on the walls inside of Westinghouse plants. It was one of many posters that were meant to keep the American workforce motivated throughout World War II.
In 1944, the War Production Board offered a collection of over 1,500 posters, including "We Can Do It" to the National Archives. Many years later, in the early 1980s, the poster reeemerged into the public eye and has since been adopted by many as a symbol of female empowerment, especially embodying the WWII ideal of "Rosie the Riveter."
In 1944, the War Production Board offered a collection of over 1,500 posters, including "We Can Do It" to the National Archives. Many years later, in the early 1980s, the poster reeemerged into the public eye and has since been adopted by many as a symbol of female empowerment, especially embodying the WWII ideal of "Rosie the Riveter."
This primary source comes from the Records of the War Production Board.
National Archives Identifier: 535413
Full Citation: Poster 179-WP-1563; We Can Do It!; ca. 1942 - 1943; War Production Board, 1942 - 1943; Records of the War Production Board, ; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/we-can-do-it, April 30, 2024]We Can Do It!
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Woman Cooking in a Kitchen
This comes from a series of photographs of "Extension and Home Demonstration Activities" from the Department of Agriculture.
This primary source comes from the Records of the Extension Service.
National Archives Identifier: 513406
Full Citation: Photograph 33-S-12790; Woman Cooking in a Kitchen; Extension and Home Demonstration Activities, 1920 - 1954; Records of the Extension Service, ; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/woman-cooking-kitchen, April 30, 2024]Woman Cooking in a Kitchen
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Photograph of Women Rivet Heaters at Puget Sound Navy Yard
5/29/1919
Women riveters pose for the camera at the Navy Yard in Puget Sound, Washington. Taken on May 29, 1919, a generation before the more famous World War II image of “Rosie the Riveter,” this photograph shows women working in industrial jobs traditionally filled by men, just as women did during World War II.
This primary source comes from the Records of the Women's Bureau.
National Archives Identifier: 522877
Full Citation: Photograph 86-G-11F(7); Photograph of Women Rivet Heaters at Puget Sound Navy Yard; 5/29/1919; General Photographic File, 1893 - 1945; Records of the Women's Bureau, ; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/women-rivet-heaters, April 30, 2024]Photograph of Women Rivet Heaters at Puget Sound Navy Yard
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Line up of some of women welders including the women's welding champion of Ingalls [Shipbuilding Corp., Pascagoula, MS]
1943
The caption for this photo reads: Line up of some of women welders including the women's welding champion of Ingalls [Shipbuilding Corp., Pascagoula, MS].
This primary source comes from the Records of the Women's Bureau.
National Archives Identifier: 522890
Full Citation: Photograph 86-WWT-85-35; Line up of some of women welders including the women's welding champion of Ingalls [Shipbuilding Corp., Pascagoula, MS]; 1943; Women Working In Industry, 1940 - 1945; Records of the Women's Bureau, ; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/women-welders-ingalls, April 30, 2024]Line up of some of women welders including the women's welding champion of Ingalls [Shipbuilding Corp., Pascagoula, MS]
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Photograph of Women Working at a Bell System Telephone Switchboard
12/22/1943
This photograph shows a telephone switchboard where overseas phone calls were handled during World War II. Many women patriotically joined the industrial workforce to work in shipyards or an aircraft factories, but many more worked in service or clerical jobs as secretaries, bank tellers, retail clerks, and telephone operators.
This primary source comes from the Records of the Women's Bureau.
National Archives Identifier: 1633445
Full Citation: Photograph 86-WWT-28-3; Photograph of Women Working at a Bell System Telephone Switchboard; 12/22/1943; Women Working In Industry, 1940 - 1945; Records of the Women's Bureau, ; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/bell-telephone-switchboard, April 30, 2024]Photograph of Women Working at a Bell System Telephone Switchboard
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Man and woman joining in producing a vital military aircraft at the big Douglas plant in Long Beach, Calif.
ca. 10/1942
The caption for this photo reads: Man and woman joining in producing a vital military aircraft at the big Douglas plant in Long Beach, Calif.
This primary source comes from the Collection FDR-PHOCO: Franklin D. Roosevelt Library Public Domain Photographs.
National Archives Identifier: 195486
Full Citation: Photograph PHOCO-A-6657(83); Man and woman joining in producing a vital military aircraft at the big Douglas plant in Long Beach, Calif.; ca. 10/1942; Franklin D. Roosevelt Library Public Domain Photographs, 1882 - 1962; Collection FDR-PHOCO: Franklin D. Roosevelt Library Public Domain Photographs, ; Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, NY. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/douglas-plant, April 30, 2024]Man and woman joining in producing a vital military aircraft at the big Douglas plant in Long Beach, Calif.
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Social Security Poster of a Mother and Her Child
ca. 1935
This Social Security Board poster featuring a mother and young child informed widows with dependent children that benefits were available when an insured worker dies. The Social Security Act of 1935 and its later amendments created a system of payroll taxes that supported old age pensions as well as other programs for the needy.
This primary source comes from the Collection FDR-Photos: Franklin D. Roosevelt Library Photographs.
National Archives Identifier: 195886
Full Citation: Photograph PHOCO-A-53227(1751); Social Security Poster of a Mother and Her Child; ca. 1935; Photographs from the Depression and World War II, 1870 - 2004; Collection FDR-Photos: Franklin D. Roosevelt Library Photographs, ; Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, NY. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/social-security-mother-child, April 30, 2024]Social Security Poster of a Mother and Her Child
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Victory Waits On Your Fingers - Keep 'Em Flying, Miss U.S.A.
1943 - 1945
Transcript
Victory Waits On Your Fingers -Keep 'Em Flying, Miss U.S.A.
Uncle Sam Needs Stenographers! Get Civil Service Information at Your Local Post Office
U.S. Civil Service Commission, Washington, D.C.
This primary source comes from the Records of the Office of Government Reports.
National Archives Identifier: 515979
Full Citation: Poster 44-PA-2272; Victory Waits On Your Fingers - Keep 'Em Flying, Miss U.S.A.; 1943 - 1945; World War II Posters, 1942 - 1945; Records of the Office of Government Reports, ; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/victory-waits-on-your-fingers, April 30, 2024]Victory Waits On Your Fingers - Keep 'Em Flying, Miss U.S.A.
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Photograph of a Farm Woman Checking Pantry Supplies
7/1936
Traditionally, “women’s work” on the farm included chores like caring for smaller animals, vegetable gardening, child rearing, housework, and food preservation. By 1936, when this photo of a South Dakota “farm woman” checking her pantry supplies was taken, the farm woman’s role as the family’s primary shopper had become more central as more consumer goods were widely available.
This primary source comes from the Records of the Extension Service.
National Archives Identifier: 1633440
Full Citation: Photograph 33-SC-22108c; Photograph of a Farm Woman Checking Pantry Supplies; 7/1936; Photographs of Extension Service Activities and Personnel, 1928 - 1943; Records of the Extension Service, ; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/farm-woman-checking-pantry, April 30, 2024]Photograph of a Farm Woman Checking Pantry Supplies
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It's Our Fight Too
ca. 1942-1943
This poster and others like it were used in various drives instituted by the War Production Board during World War II. This is one of the posters published by the U.S. Government to motivate women to work in defense jobs.
This primary source comes from the Records of the War Production Board.
National Archives Identifier: 535415
Full Citation: Poster 179-WP-1565; It's Our Fight Too; ca. 1942-1943; War Production Board, 1942 - 1943; Records of the War Production Board, ; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/its-our-fight-too, April 30, 2024]It's Our Fight Too
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Get A War Job!
1941 - 1945
Transcript
Longing won't bring him back sooner...Get a War Job!
See Your U.S. Employment Service
War Manpower Commission
This primary source comes from the Records of the Office of Government Reports.
National Archives Identifier: 513840
Full Citation: Poster 44-PA-389; Get A War Job!; 1941 - 1945; World War II Posters, 1942 - 1945; Records of the Office of Government Reports, ; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/get-a-war-job, April 30, 2024]Get A War Job!
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Wife and Children of a Sharecropper in Washington County, Arkansas
ca. 1935
This primary source comes from the Collection FDR-PHOCO: Franklin D. Roosevelt Library Public Domain Photographs.
National Archives Identifier: 195845
Full Citation: Photograph PHOCO-A-53227(541); Wife and Children of a Sharecropper in Washington County, Arkansas; ca. 1935; Franklin D. Roosevelt Library Public Domain Photographs, 1882 - 1962; Collection FDR-PHOCO: Franklin D. Roosevelt Library Public Domain Photographs, ; Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, NY. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/wife-and-children-arkansas-sharecropper, April 30, 2024]Wife and Children of a Sharecropper in Washington County, Arkansas
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