Women

World War One

Jobs

were not allowed to sign up as soldiers, sailors, or pilots

Many enlisted as nurses and took care of wounded and/or dying soldiers

Nursing overseas was very dangerous since many women were wounded and killed by enemy fire

Separation allowances

is paid to a lawful wife who is dependent on her husband and to provide her needs

“The Dorcas Club”

allowed single ladies an opportunity to contribute to the war effort

Between January to May of 1917 about 17 ladies made 67 sets of pajamas, 101 pairs of socks and 125 box linings for the men at the front.

Propaganda posters

to persuade woman to force or make the men in the family go for war

1920's

The 'Famous Five'

Alberta’s ‘Famous Five’ included Emily Murphy, Irene Parlby, Nellie McClung, Henrietta Edwards and Louise McKinney

challenged the Canadian Supreme Court over women’s status

Woman Became "People"

In 1928, the Canadian Supreme Court declared that only men were ‘persons’

The ‘Famous Five’ took the case to the Judicial Committee of the British Privy Council, who in 1929 ruled that Canadian women were “people’ under the law

Work

women occupied low-paying and low-status jobs. Many employers, including the federal government forced women to resign when they got married.

School

about only 25% of women attended high school

many were just expected to look after their family until they married or to look after their own children

Fashion

women's fashion in the 1920’s was very stylish, inexpensive, charming, and modest

Scandalously high hemlines, bobbed hair, cloche hats, and “unfeminine” shapes was the new fashions

women were called ‘Flappers’ by men saying women were like baby birds trying to break free of their control.

Flappers’ would smoke, drank and swear. They loved fast cars and all-night dance clubs.

Homefront

War Effort

Many women performed in patriotic duties

thousands of women did voluntary work on the farms during the food production campaigns

more than 1,000 young women were employed in the Royal Air Force

about 5,000 women were employed in Civil Service work of a war character

75,000 gave their services in the compilation

Jobs

Low paying jobs such as teaching, domestic work, and low skilled factory work

Many women stepped in to run families, farms and businesses when the men signed up

Struggles

Jobs choices were often limited

Often found themselves doing the same jobs as men for a fraction of the pay

Working conditions were sometimes dangerous

World War Two

Women in War Work

Women stepped into workplaces previously reserved for men such as factories, machine shops, and farms.

Before the war most women worked in clerical or domestic jobs such as nursing and teaching

There was a huge change in the percentage of women working in the manufacturing field

Women in the Forces

In 1941, for the first time women were allowed to enlist in the women's division of the Army, Navi and Air Force

As the Allied war machine grew, women were needed for clerical and other jobs in order to release men for combat.

The Canadian Women's Army Corps (CWACs) and the Royal Canadian Air Force (Women's Division) were formedIn 1941. the Royal Canadian Naval Women's Service (Wrens) was formed in 1942

Post War

Jobs

Women were expected to go back to their home and take care of their families

they did not want to leave their jobs after the men came back from war

95% of all secretaries were female

7% of all doctors were female

4% of women had managerial positions

some were women in Parliament

More women in government, managerial positions and medicine

Woman rights

paid wages during maternity leave (18 weeks) ( now 25 weeks)

Birth control was available

Housewives able to participate in the Canadian Pension Plan

received equal pay for work of equal value