Women at Work

World War II

Women in the Workforce

• National War Labor Board tried to make an equal pay principle in 1942

• But this was rarely enforced• “production soldiers”• 48 hour work week, but many worked

overtime

Rosie the Riveter

Balancing Work and Home

Effects on Women

• More freedom, independence• Social and economic mobility• Public believed her position was temporary• Mixed reactions from women when the war

ended• Development of civil rights movements

Office of Price Administration (OPA)

Rationing• Sugar• Silk• Nylon• Rayon• Cotton• Wool• Coffee• Tea• Butter• Meat• Gasoline• steel

Victory Gardens

The Cost of War…Literally

• Govt spent more than $300 billion for WWII• More than what govt had spent from

Washington through FDR’s 2nd term combined!

• How does govt get money to pay for war???• Raised taxes• War Bonds

The War Labor Board