The World War II Women

Contributed by Sally Beriont

When thinking of women’s work, many initially think of the work that women do at home-- their unpaid domestic labor. The old saying, “A women’s work is never done” refers to the hundreds of household chores women are often assumed to take total responsibility for. And although the work women perform at home is invisible because it is always done away from the public eye, women are seen by society as housewives and mothers and not as paid workers. During World War II, many women were responsible for tending to their home and their children while their husbands were in combat. But many also worked manual jobs all day, where they could do their part for the frontline without actually being on the frontline. Juggling a job in a factory, volunteering, or working for a war company, raising several children, keeping a proper home, all the while indisposed with heartache for their partner overseas, women in World War II had perhaps the hardest tasks of them all.

Interview:

Below, my Gramma reflects on and shares stories of life in WWII. Some her own, and some on behalf of her husband, a pilot during the war. They say that behind every great man stands a strong woman. My grandmother, Teresa Beriont, is one of the strongest.
 

For more information on Women during WWII, see:

"HISTORY
TOPICS." Women and the Home Front During World War II : Library : MNHS.ORG. N.p., n.d.
Web. 28 Feb. 2013.

"The Importance of Women's Paid
Labour. Women at Work in World War II by Lynn Beaton." The Importance
of Women's Paid Labour. Women at Work in World War II by Lynn Beaton. N.p.,
n.d. Web. 28 Feb. 2013.

"Journal of Combat Missions -
Page 4." Journal of Combat Missions - Page 4. N.p., n.d. Web. 28

Life During World War II

Contributed by Allison Yashay

 

Life During World War II

 

World War Two had a large number of soldiers fighting. There was a huge demand for goods such as sugar, butter, and gas. Americans couldn't “walk into a shop and buy as much sugar, butter or meat as you did not want, nor could Americans fill up their car with gasoline whenever they liked.” All these goods things were rationed. Rationed meant Americans were only allowed to buy a small amount of that product. The government introduced rationing because certain things were in “short supply” during the war, and rationing was the only way to “make sure everyone got their fair share”. Each family received war ration books and tokens, dictating how much gasoline, tires, sugar, meat, and clothing they could buy. America quickly adapted to the rationed goods. In fact, Sears, Roebuck and Co. yearly catalog contained a list of “all rationed farm equipment” and told the “reasons and benefits of rationing” as well as who is eligible.  A wartime edition of the American Woman's Cook Book contained revised recipes and gave advice on dealing with food shortages. 
 

Men and women were drafted in large numbers leaving jobs to be filled. American industry turned to teen-aged boys and girls to fill in as replacements. Therefore, many states had to change their child-labor laws to allow these teenagers to work. The “lures of patriotism, adulthood and money” led many youth to drop out of school and take a defense job. Many women’s husbands were at war. Some women, like my great grandma, were housewives. Housewives during World War II were much different than today’s.

It was, in a way, a full  time job. The “worst psychological pressure came when sons, husbands, fathers, brothers and fiancés” were drafted and sent to faraway training camps, preparing for a war in which nobody knew how many would be killed.

Interview:

Here is a video of a narrative of my grandma's experience as a teenager during WWII. Click here: Grandma's Story or go to https://www.dropbox.com/s/phji0m5ve7orl6v/Life%20During%20WW2.ppsx

For more information on WWII, see:
 

Cohen, Stan. "Rationing on the US Homefront during WW II." Rationing on the US Homefront during WW II. N.p., 1991. Web. 14 Feb. 2013. http://www.ameshistoricalsociety.org/exhibits/events/rationing.htm.

"Everyday Life During World War II." Calisphere -. The Regents of The University of California, 2013. Web. 14 Feb. 2013. http://www.calisphere.universityofcalifornia.edu/themed_collections/subtopic5h.html. 
 

Introduction to World War II and Post-War Social Policy. (2006). In K. L. Lerner, B. W. Lerner, & A. W. Lerner (Eds.), Social Policy: Essential Primary Sources (p. 193). Detroit: Gale. Retrieved from http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%CCX2687400083&v=2.1&u=uchs_ca&it=r&p=GVRL&sw=w

Reinhardt, Claudia, and Bill Ganzel. "The Home Front in Rural America during World War II." The Home Front in Rural America during World War II. Ganzel Group, n.d. Web. 14 Feb. 2013. http://www.livinghistoryfarm.org/farminginthe40s/life_06.html.

"United States Home Front during World War II." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 14 Feb. 2013. Web. 14 Feb. 2013. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_home_front_during_World_War_II.