1. Women in WWI

2. 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

3. 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!

4. The role of Women in WWI

5. 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

6. 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

7. Women in Industry
Women stepped up to fill in the gap by working in war factories
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
hours a day, all while receiving
less pay than men.

8. Civilian Jobs Women also replaced men in many civilian jobs
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

9. 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.

10. 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

11. 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.

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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.