Women at Work: World War II

This activity can be used in units about World War II, women’s history, or primary sources. For grades 6-12. Approximate time needed is 30 minutes.

Begin by asking students what they already know about women’s wartime service during World War II. As a class, make a list of all the positions the students believe that women filled during the war.

Explain to students that manpower shortages during World War II provided new opportunities for women in previously male-dominated fields in the military, industry, and other professional occupations. However, even with these expanded opportunities, women still encountered gender discrimination and stereotypes during their wartime service.

The activity will instruct students to match each photograph to a corresponding poster based on six specific ways that American women contributed to World War II. (Point out that women also served in other capacities not specifically mentioned in this activity). These roles include:

1. Noncombat Military Position (Ex: WACs, WAVES, SPARs, Women Marines)
2. Defense Industry Workers
3. Women’s Land Army
4. Home Front Volunteers
5. Red Cross Volunteers
6. Army and Navy Nurses

After discussing these roles, open the activity and model document analysis with one of the connected photograph and poster pairs (for example Members of the Women’s Land Army and Harvest War Crops, The Women’s Land Army). Ask students to make note of the type of work that they notice women doing in the photographs and posters.

Next, direct students to complete the activity, which can be done individually, in pairs, or in small groups. Ask students to continue to make note of the type of work for each individual poster/photograph pair. After students make all the matches, they will see a World War II poster encouraging women to “Get a War Job.”

After completing the activity, students should click on “When You’re Done.” Direct students to the following questions and lead a discussion based on their answers.

• 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?