How Did Women Change During World War 1

Women’s fate changed when World War 1 swept into the United States. Women have contributed a significant amount for the development of the United States but they were not always independent. With the start of the Great War, improvements for women started to occur. The gender barriers for women were broken as women entered the workforce. World War 1 was a military conflict which lasted for four years involving nearly all the biggest powers of the world. As men started leaving for the war front, life on the home front became a challenge for women who had to take care of the household and earn money. The traditional family roles were changed and women took up jobs of men. The lack of restrictions on women in the United States during World War
Kim). Organizations such as the Red Cross, Patriotic League and The Young Women Christian Association recruited women to support the war cause. The red cross organized women to support their wartime relief efforts. Women also worked as nurses during World War 1. As women took up these jobs it was evident that women were just a replacement laborers but rather talented workers. The most important work done by women were done in ammunition factories. Equally important, was the improvement that the U.S. Secretary of Navy made. U.S. Secretary of Navy mentioned the fact that there was no specific rule that women could not enlist in the navy. As a result, requirements to enlist in the navy were not strict. The U.S. Navy was the first branch of the armed forces to enlist women to take up jobs left behind at home. The U.S. Marine Corp and U.S. Army followed in the footsteps of the U.S. Navy and also recruited women to fill up empty jobs. Women’s active involvement and help in wartime efforts helped the United States successfully get through a tough