Changes Occurred in Women's Roles
Yes women’s roles were changing but what exactly were those changes. Women during WW2 were recruited for many jobs such as; welding, machine repair, operating tractors and making uniforms, weapons and ammo. These were all the jobs they had recently done in WW1. The new exciting roles women could take part in were that got to work on posts, take agricultural jobs, assist as drivers, anti-aircraft gunners and be radio operators. Women were buzzing about these new opportunities. With the rise in the range of jobs offered came the formation of many women’s army organisations to help get women to sign their names and help win the war. Some organisations consisted of; Australian Women’s Army Service, Australian Woman’s Land Army, Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air force and the voluntary organisations such as the Red Cross and Royal Australian Army Nursing Service. Women got paid all or nearly all of what men got paid when they worked these jobs and have been the financial head of the house, therefore, this lead to after the war, women were reluctant to give up the jobs.
“I think a lot of women said, Screw the noise, Cause they had a taste of freedom, they had a taste or making their own money, a taste of spending their own money, making their own decisions. I think the beginning of the women’s
movement had its seed right there in World War Two”
- President Franklin. D. Roosevelt, 1942
This quote is stating how WW2 was where the seeds of changing roles of women began. And they grew into a tree of mature, self-dependent generation of women. Women were essential to WW2, essential to keep the food supply of Australia, essential to keep the men provided and essential to win the war.