Women at Work: World War II
Seeing the Big Picture
All documents and text associated with this activity are printed below, followed by a worksheet for student responses.Introduction
During World War II, manpower shortages and increased war production created new opportunities for women in previously male-dominated fields in the military, industry, and other professional occupations. The photographs and posters below reflect women's varied wartime service.
For each document, click on the orange "open in new window" icon for a larger view of the photograph or poster and to see additional document details. Then, match each photograph to its corresponding poster (one photograph per poster).
Each pairing will connect to the six types of positions that women filled during World War II listed below:
For each document, click on the orange "open in new window" icon for a larger view of the photograph or poster and to see additional document details. Then, match each photograph to its corresponding poster (one photograph per poster).
Each pairing will connect to the six types of positions that women filled during World War II listed below:
- Noncombat Military Position (e.g. WACs, WAVES, SPARs, Marines)
- Defense Industry Workers
- Women’s Land Army
- Home Front Volunteers
- Red Cross Volunteers
- Army and Navy Nurses
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Worksheet
Women at Work: World War II
Seeing the Big Picture
Examine the documents and text included in this activity. Consider how each document or piece of text relates to each other and create matched pairs. Write the text or document number next to its match below. Write your conclusion response in the space provided.1
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Culminating Document
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, May 17, 2025]Get A War Job!
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Conclusion
Women at Work: World War II
Seeing the Big Picture
- What similarities and differences do you notice between how the photographs and posters depict women at work during World War II?
- How do these similarities and differences reflect both women’s expanded wartime opportunities and gender stereotypes that women workers encountered during the war?
Your Response
Document
Women Marines Salvage Parts That Can be Repaired
5/1945
World War II created unprecedented opportunities for women to work or secure better jobs. More than 5 million women entered the workforce and served in uniform at home and abroad to fill the considerable number of positions required to support the war effort.
This primary source comes from the Records of the Women's Bureau.
Full Citation: Photograph 86-WWT-59-1; Women Marines Salvage Parts That Can be Repaired; 5/1945; 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/marines-salvage-parts, May 17, 2025]Women Marines Salvage Parts That Can be Repaired
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Document
Be a Marine--Free a Marine to Fight
1941–1945
This primary source comes from the Records of the Office of Government Reports.
National Archives Identifier: 513679
Full Citation: 44-PA-236B; Be a Marine--Free a Marine to Fight; 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/be-a-marine-free-a-marine-to-fight, May 17, 2025]Be a Marine--Free a Marine to Fight
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Document
SPARS' First Salute Costs a Buck
ca. 1943
This item consists of a photograph of two new SPAR ensigns giving a dollar to the first enlisted man that salutes them. This is an old Coast Guard tradition after attaining a gold stripe on uniform sleeves.
The original caption states: "Following an old Coast Guard custom, two SPAR ensigns at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, New London, Conn., give a dollar to the first enlisted man that salutes them after they've attained a gold stripe on their sleeves. The girls have just completed their indoctrination course and have been sworn in as ensigns by Rear Admiral James Pine, Coast Guard Academy, superintendent. From left to right, they are: Robert D. Caskey, Jamaica, Long Island; Catherine E. Varlese, Kearney, N.J. and Ray Fraser, Brooklyn, N.Y. "
The original caption states: "Following an old Coast Guard custom, two SPAR ensigns at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, New London, Conn., give a dollar to the first enlisted man that salutes them after they've attained a gold stripe on their sleeves. The girls have just completed their indoctrination course and have been sworn in as ensigns by Rear Admiral James Pine, Coast Guard Academy, superintendent. From left to right, they are: Robert D. Caskey, Jamaica, Long Island; Catherine E. Varlese, Kearney, N.J. and Ray Fraser, Brooklyn, N.Y. "
This primary source comes from the Records of the U.S. Coast Guard.
National Archives Identifier: 205572892
Full Citation: 26-G-1707; SPARS' First Salute Costs a Buck; ca. 1943; Academy; Photographs of Activities, Facilities, and Personalities, 1939–1967; Records of the U.S. Coast Guard, ; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/spars-first-salute-costs-buck, May 17, 2025]SPARS' First Salute Costs a Buck
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Document
SPARS
1941-1945
This primary source comes from the Records of the Office of Government Reports.
National Archives Identifier: 515463
Full Citation: 44-PA-1785B; SPARS; 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/spars-poster, May 17, 2025]SPARS
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Document
Woman Sells War Bonds and Stamps And Distributes War Production Drive Literature
ca. 1943
The original caption for this photograph reads: A young woman sells war bonds and stamps and distributes War Production Drive literature.
This primary source comes from the Collection FDR-PHOCO: Franklin D. Roosevelt Library Public Domain Photographs .
National Archives Identifier: 196483
Full Citation: Woman Sells War Bonds and Stamps And Distributes War Production Drive Literature ; ca. 1943; Franklin D. Roosevelt Library Public Domain Photogaphs, 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/woman-sells-bonds-stamps, May 17, 2025]Woman Sells War Bonds and Stamps And Distributes War Production Drive Literature
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Document
Save Waste Paper. Sort and Bundle. Give it or Sell it!
1941-1945
This primary source comes from the Records of the Office of Government Reports.
National Archives Identifier: 515345
Full Citation: Save Waste Paper. Sort and Bundle. Give it or Sell it!; 1941-1945; Records of the Office of Government Reports, . [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/save-waste-paper-sort-and-bundle-give-it-or-sell-it, May 17, 2025]Save Waste Paper. Sort and Bundle. Give it or Sell it!
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Document
WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) at NAS Oakland, California
ca. 1942-1945
This primary source comes from the General Records of the Department of the Navy.
National Archives Identifier: 179036512
Full Citation: 80-GK-5663; WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) at NAS Oakland, California; ca. 1942-1945; Color Photographs of U.S. Navy Activities, 1939–1958; General Records of the Department of the Navy, ; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/waves-oakland-california, May 17, 2025]WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) at NAS Oakland, California
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Document
Enlist in the Waves Release a Man to Fight at Sea
This primary source comes from the Records of the Office of Government Reports.
National Archives Identifier: 513651
Full Citation: 44-PA-208; Enlist in the Waves Release a Man to Fight at Sea; 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/enlist-in-the-waves, May 17, 2025]Enlist in the Waves Release a Man to Fight at Sea
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Document
Women Descending to a Rhino Barge
7/31/1944
Original Caption states: "Along with the GI'S, these gals of the ARC Mobile Units descend to the Rhino barge via rope ladders draped over the port side of the Liberty ship as they disembark in France."
This primary source comes from the Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer.
National Archives Identifier: 176888118
Full Citation: 111-SC-192136; Women Descending to a Rhino Barge; 7/31/1944; France - Normandy Invasion Beachheads: Omaha and Utah Beaches; U.S. Army Signal Corps Photographs Of Military Activity During World War II and The Korean Conflict, 1941–1954; Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer, ; National Archives College Park, College Park, MD. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/women-descending-rhino-barge, May 17, 2025]Women Descending to a Rhino Barge
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Document
In Camp. . . And Overseas, Red Cross Workers Serve Fighting Forces
1941-1945
This primary source comes from the Records of the Office of Government Reports.
National Archives Identifier: 514616
Full Citation: 44-PA-1089; In Camp. . . And Overseas, Red Cross Workers Serve Fighting Forces; 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/red-cross-workers-serve-fighting-forces, May 17, 2025]In Camp. . . And Overseas, Red Cross Workers Serve Fighting Forces
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Document
American Army Nurses have Dinner near Normandy
6/15/1944
Original Caption states: "A group of U.S. Army nurses, first to land with the vanguard of American troops on Normandy beaches, take time for dinner on the site of the field hospital, located between the beach and the fighting up front."
This primary source comes from the Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer.
National Archives Identifier: 176887924
Full Citation: 111-SC-190306-S; American Army Nurses have Dinner near Normandy; 6/15/1944; France - Normandy Invasion Beachheads: Omaha and Utah Beaches; U.S. Army Signal Corps Photographs Of Military Activity During World War II and The Korean Conflict, 1941–1954; Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer, ; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/american-army-nurses-dinner-field-hospital-normandy, May 17, 2025]American Army Nurses have Dinner near Normandy
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Document
Nurses Are Needed Now! Army Nurse Corps
1941-1945
This primary source comes from the Records of the Office of Government Reports.
National Archives Identifier: 513647
Full Citation: 44-PA-204; Nurses Are Needed Now! Army Nurse Corps; 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/nurses-are-needed-now-army-nurse-corps, May 17, 2025]Nurses Are Needed Now! Army Nurse Corps
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Document
'Bertha Stallworth, age 21, shown inspecting end of 40mm artillery cartridge case at Frankford Arsenal.'
ca. 1941 - ca. 1945
This primary source comes from the Records of the Office of War Information.
National Archives Identifier: 535805
Full Citation: 'Bertha Stallworth, age 21, shown inspecting end of 40mm artillery cartridge case at Frankford Arsenal.'; ca. 1941 - ca. 1945; Records of the Office of War Information, . [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/bertha-stallworth-age-21-shown-inspecting-end-of-40mm-artillery-cartridge-case-at-frankford-arsenal, May 17, 2025]'Bertha Stallworth, age 21, shown inspecting end of 40mm artillery cartridge case at Frankford Arsenal.'
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Document
Women There's Work to be Done and a War to be Won Now!
ca. 1943
This poster urged women to join the war effort during World War II, and depicts some of the many ways they contributed to the home front economy.
This primary source comes from the Records of the Office of Government Reports.
National Archives Identifier: 513682
Full Citation: Poster 44-PA-240; Women There's Work to be Done and a War to be Won Now!; ca. 1943; 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/women-work-to-be-done, May 17, 2025]Women There's Work to be Done and a War to be Won Now!
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Document
PFC Gladys Bellon, Basile, Louisiana, one of the 27 WAC switchboard operators flown from Paris for the Potsdam Conference and Sgt. Robert Scott of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, test lines in the frame room of the Victory switchboard at U. S. headquarters
7/15/1945
The original caption for this photograph reads: PFC Gladys Bellon, Basile, Louisiana, one of the 27 WAC switchboard operators flown from Paris for the Potsdam Conference and Sgt. Robert Scott of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, test lines in the frame room of the Victory switchboard at U. S. headquarters at Babelsburg, Germany.
This primary source comes from the Collection HST-AVC: Audiovisual Collection.
National Archives Identifier: 199010
Full Citation: Photograph AVC-PHT-63(1457)80; PFC Gladys Bellon, Basile, Louisiana, one of the 27 WAC switchboard operators flown from Paris for the Potsdam Conference and Sgt. Robert Scott of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, test lines in the frame room of the Victory switchboard at U. S. headquarters; 7/15/1945 ; Photographs Relating to the Administration, Family, and Personal Life of Harry S. Truman, 1957 - 2004; Collection HST-AVC: Audiovisual Collection, ; Harry S. Truman Library, Independence, MO. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/testing-lines, May 17, 2025]PFC Gladys Bellon, Basile, Louisiana, one of the 27 WAC switchboard operators flown from Paris for the Potsdam Conference and Sgt. Robert Scott of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, test lines in the frame room of the Victory switchboard at U. S. headquarters
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Document
Woman's Place in War Radio Repairing The Women's Army Corps
1941-1945
This primary source comes from the Records of the Office of Government Reports.
National Archives Identifier: 513709
Full Citation: 44-PA-260C; Woman's Place in War Radio Repairing The Women's Army Corps; 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/womans-place-in-war-wac, May 17, 2025]Woman's Place in War Radio Repairing The Women's Army Corps
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Document
Members of the Women's Land Army of World War II, wearing the regulation caps, shirts, and overalls, march into the orchard
8/1944
Original caption states: "Members of the Women's Land Army of World War II, wearing the regulation cape, shirts, and overalls, pick peaches in August 1944. The three in the foreground are (left to right): Frances Hickman, Lillian Dewdney, and Nancy Dick."
Additional historical context from the photograph includes: "In time of war American women always take over the jobs left vacant by the men on the fighting fronts. These jobs include the cultivation and harvesting of crops needed to feed the armed forces, the civilian population, and our allies.
In World War I women of all ages from schools and colleges, from professional and business offices and from homes in towns and cities joined the farmererttes who came to the aid of farmers in 1917 and 1918. In World War II they have done the same thing, but on a vastly bigger scale. Since Pearl Harbor hundreds of thousands of women - from the stage, radio, and press, from stores, offices, and educational institutions - have enrolled in the Womens' Land Army. The Land Army is a division of the U. S. Crop Corps, organized and directed by the Extension Service of the U.. S. Department of Agriculture, in cooperation with the State extension services, to meet the present acute farm labor shortage. Some of these women signed up for as long as a year; others, for their entire vacation of two or three months or of one to three weeks. Still others go out only to meet emergency calls for extra hired hands, such as for the harvesting of a bumper fruit crop.
These pictures show the response to a call to save the peach crop on a farm near Leesburg, VA, in August, 1917 and in August, 1944."
Additional historical context from the photograph includes: "In time of war American women always take over the jobs left vacant by the men on the fighting fronts. These jobs include the cultivation and harvesting of crops needed to feed the armed forces, the civilian population, and our allies.
In World War I women of all ages from schools and colleges, from professional and business offices and from homes in towns and cities joined the farmererttes who came to the aid of farmers in 1917 and 1918. In World War II they have done the same thing, but on a vastly bigger scale. Since Pearl Harbor hundreds of thousands of women - from the stage, radio, and press, from stores, offices, and educational institutions - have enrolled in the Womens' Land Army. The Land Army is a division of the U. S. Crop Corps, organized and directed by the Extension Service of the U.. S. Department of Agriculture, in cooperation with the State extension services, to meet the present acute farm labor shortage. Some of these women signed up for as long as a year; others, for their entire vacation of two or three months or of one to three weeks. Still others go out only to meet emergency calls for extra hired hands, such as for the harvesting of a bumper fruit crop.
These pictures show the response to a call to save the peach crop on a farm near Leesburg, VA, in August, 1917 and in August, 1944."
This primary source comes from the Records of the Office of the Secretary of Agriculture.
National Archives Identifier: 175539340
Full Citation: 16-G-323-N-5958; Members of the Women's Land Army of World War II, wearing the regulation caps, shirts, and overalls, march into the orchard; 8/1944; Historical File of the Office of Information, Department of Agriculture, 1900–1959; Records of the Office of the Secretary of Agriculture, ; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/members-womens-land-army-in-orchard, May 17, 2025]Members of the Women's Land Army of World War II, wearing the regulation caps, shirts, and overalls, march into the orchard
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Document
Harvest War Crops, The Women's Land Army
1941-1945
This primary source comes from the Records of the Office of Government Reports.
National Archives Identifier: 514440
Full Citation: 44-PA-934; Harvest War Crops, The Women's Land Army; 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/harvest-war-crops-womens-land-army, May 17, 2025]Harvest War Crops, The Women's Land Army
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