Women workers of World War II
Rosie the Riveters in living color
Alex Q. Arbuckle
1941-1943
During World War II, the drafting of millions of men for combat left American military contractors in dire need of workers to produce munitions and vehicles for the war effort. Women on the home front stepped up in great numbers, taking over strenuous, hazardous manual labor and handling complex, technical tasks. A month after Pearl Harbor, 60 widows of the attack responded to job openings at aircraft plants in California, with the motto "keep ’em flying to avenge our husbands’ deaths."In addition to traditional administrative roles, women stepped in as laborers and engineers in steel mills, tank factories and, in particular, the aviation industry. Their contributions, for which they were usually paid half a typical man’s wage, became the inspiration for the government’s “Rosie the Riveter” propaganda character.When the war ended, most women workers wanted to keep their jobs, enjoying the financial independence and respect they earned. Almost all were laid off, however, owing to the slowdown of military production and the return of male soldiers expecting jobs. Over the course of the war, Office of War Information photographer Alfred T. Palmer visited several aircraft manufacturing plants, capturing the woman-led production in dramatically lit Kodachrome photos.
In 1941 only 1% of aviation employees were women, while this year they will comprise an estimated 65% of the total. Of the 16 million women now employed in the U.S., over a quarter are in war industries. - LIFE Magazine, Aug. 9, 1943
You came out to California, put on your pants, and took your lunch pail to a man’s job. This was the beginning of women’s feeling that they could be something more. - Sybil Lewis, riveter for Lockheed
In time of peace they may return once more to home and family, but they have proved that in time of crisis no job is too tough for American women. - LIFE Magazine, Aug. 9, 1943
Keep ’em flying to avenge our husbands’ deaths. - Pearl Harbor widow motto, in response to aviation job offers
