1. THE CHANGING ROLE OF WOMEN

2. Before the War: Before the outbreak of war in August 1914, women held traditional roles in family life. They provided their husbands with a clean home, food on the table and children, which they raised. They were not allowed to leave the home without being accompanied by a male. They had to behave in a “lady-like” manner.

3. When a couple married, the rights of the woman were given over to her husband. The husband legally owned and controlled all property and money. They were even legally entitled to take the wages that a woman earned!

4. While it was believed that a woman’s place was in the home, a man’s life revolved around business, politics and social gatherings. They had stability, financial status and power over their homes and women.

5. Some women had to work, either in factories, on farms or as domestic servants (for low wages), or as a teacher, nurse or office worker.

6. Women’s rights groups fought to liberate women from these traditional roles and become equal to men. Thousands of supporters held meetings and signed petitions. Some women believed that more radical action was needed. They were called Suffragettes and they formed a new militant wing of the women's movement. These women staged headline- grabbing stunts, chained themselves to railings and attacked property.

7. Many Suffragettes were jailed for their protests. To draw attention to the cause, Emily Davison threw herself in front of the King’s horse during a horse race in 1913. She died 4 days later.

9. Watch the movie!

10. During the War: The side which produced the greater amount of munitions (guns, tanks, etc.) stood a better chance of victory in World War 1. BUT … There was a huge shortage of workers. Industry and agriculture demanded men, but so did the army.

11. The labour shortage needed to filled, and women filled it. More opportunities opened up to women and the types of jobs they undertook changed.

12. Women began to make war products such as guns and ammunition, taking on jobs operating heavy machinery and driving vehicles.

13. They also worked as railway guards and ticket collectors, buses and tram conductors, postal workers, police, firefighters and as bank ‘tellers’ and clerks.

14. The Women’s Land Army was formed to ensure food production continued because so many male agricultural labourers were in the army.

15. Women also headed to the War front to work in hospitals, treating injured soldiers, while many nurses continued to help the injured at home.

16. Even though women worked, they were still required to fulfil their traditional roles. Women were told they had a patriotic duty to encourage their men to fight in the war. They also helped the soldiers remain motivated by sending more than 12 million letters and parcels to the troops every week.

17. By 1918 there were 1.3 million more women at work than in 1914 BUT they were still paid lower rates than men. After the War:

18. The end of the War meant that women were expected to return to their previous roles and allow the returning soldiers to take back their jobs. Whilst the number of women in work returned to pre-war levels, the War did result in a number of permanent changes.

19. A wider range of jobs were now available to women. Changes in style and appearance made necessary by war work - wearing trousers and short hair - became fashionable. World War I had proven that women could do a wide range of work and do them well.

20. Votes for Women

21. Women felt they should have the right to vote because they had to pay taxes and abide by the law, just as men did. They believed they had an equal right to influence Parliament and government by voting. In 1918 the Representation of the People Act 1918 was passed which allowed some women over the age of 30 to vote in national elections. The Parliament (Qualification of Women) Act followed later the same year and allowed women to stand as Members of Parliament. It was not until the Equal Franchise Act was passed in 1928 that women won the same voting rights as men.