Women’s work during World War 2
The goal of this activity is to explore and understand the vital roles that women played during World War II. You will investigate how women contributed to the war effort both on the Homefront and in various industries, as well as how their involvement reshaped societal expectations for women in the workforce.
When World War II began in 1939, many men enlisted in the military and went off to fight. As a result, there was a massive labor shortage in many industries that were crucial for the war effort. To fill these gaps, women entered the workforce in huge numbers.
(3-4 students per group). Each group will focus on one specific aspect of women’s work during World War II:
In this activity, you will analyze four historical photographs that show different ways women contributed to the war effort during World War II. Through this analysis, you will better understand the roles women played and how their work challenged traditional gender roles at the time.
Pay attention to:
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What the women are doing
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What they’re wearing
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Tools or machinery in the photo
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Facial expressions or body language
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Setting or location
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Any text or captions
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What is happening in this photo? Describe the scene in detail.
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What does this image tell you about the kinds of work women were doing during WWII?
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What can you infer about how society viewed women’s roles at the time based on this image?
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How does this image challenge or reinforce traditional gender roles?
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What message do you think the photographer was trying to convey?
