Women in WWI

A Different Time... In 1900, the rights of women were heavily restricted Women were not recognized as independent human beings under the Canadian legal system Their fathers and husbands were legally responsible for them Men controlled their property, their money, their children and their lives IF a woman or her children were abused by her husband, there was nothing the law could do about it

A Different Time... It was a common belief that men were the “bread winners” of the household, and the role of women was in the home She was responsible for cooking, cleaning and raising the children, tending to the household duties Some women did work outside of the home, although mostly in low-paying “female” occupations such as: domestic services, sewing, tailoring, housekeeping, laundering and clerks Of those women who worked outside of the home, a majority of them were single Women only made 50%-60% of what men were earning Women did not even have the right to vote!

The role of Women in WWI

The Role of Women It is very important to remember the very important roles that women had during the war. First and foremost, women provided important support as wives and mothers of the men who had gone to fight They also played an important role in the campaign to recruit more men, as we have seen from the propaganda posters we analyzed It was women who responded to the government’s call to practice restraint in food consumption and household spending It was women, who, as volunteers, worked in service organization and raised money for soldier’s relief and comforts

Women in Industry WWI brought about massive changes. One such change was the roles which women were able to assume within society. Industry: The responsibility fell on the women of Canada to maintain a strong wartime economy The wartime industrial boom created a problem. The young men who could normally work in industry were in the army, fighting overseas War enabled women to fill many “non-traditional” roles that had previously been filled by men

Women in Industry Women stepped up to fill in the gap by working in war factories 35 000 women began working in munitions factories across Canada Women made guns, shells and aircraft. They soldered caps on fuses, overhauled aircraft engines, worked on railways, built chips, and worked for steel and cement companies Given the opportunity, women performed equally as well as men, and excelled in precision work Women worked long days! Sometimes 10 - 16 hours a day, all while receiving less pay than men.

Civilian Jobs Women also replaced men in many civilian jobs 5000-6000 women were employed in the Civil Service They became streetcar drivers and train conductors, secretaries and office managers They worked on farms to help plant and harvest the crops

True Equality? The war created equal opportunity for work, but did not bring equal pay Many viewed female labour as “temporary”. They felt it was “a necessary act of patriotism” which would end when the war was over.

Women Volunteers Women without “regular” paying jobs also did their part Many women volunteered with the Red Cross, rolling bandages, knitting socks and sweaters for the soldiers. They sent letters and care packages to the soldiers and visited the families of men who had been killed Women contributed to the war effort in a variety of ways

The Canadian Army Medical Corps Nearly 3000 women served with the Canadian Army Medical Corps as nurses. They were well trained and had an excellent reputation They were known as “bluebirds” by the soldiers whom they cared for because of their blue cotton dresses and white veils.

The Canadian Army Medical Corps These women lived and worked close to the front lines, in conditions which often called for great courage and determination. They shared the dangers of warfare with the Canadian men. 47 Canadian nurses lost their lives to shelling, bombing, submarine attack or disease contracted from patients

Earning the Right to Vote The effort of women during the war increased their political visibility Their efforts and achievements could not be ignored WWI and the introduction of conscription, helped women receive the right to vote, even if the government initially granted it for political reasons The Wartime Elections Act in 1917 gave the vote to women – but not all women On 24 May 1918, all female “citizens” aged 21 and over became eligible to vote in federal elections

Summary It is important to remember that WWI was a “total war” Everyone was involved in the war effort, and the success of the Canadian soldiers overseas would not have been possible if it was not for the efforts of the thousands of women back home Men, women, and children all did their part to contribute to the war effort.