World War 1 marked a pivotal time when women in many countries entered the workforce in unprecedented numbers to keep their economies running while men were off fighting. But despite their immense contributions, women still faced workplace dangers, unequal pay, and challenges retaining their jobs after the war. Let‘s take a closer look at the essential part women played in this global conflict.
Keeping Industry Running at Home
As millions of men were conscripted into the military, women were recruited en masse to fill their positions in factories, mills, and beyond. This was especially critical in the armaments industry. By 1917, around 950,000 women were employed in British munitions factories alone, producing 80% of the weapons and shells used by the army. Similarly, an estimated 700,000 women worked in Germany‘s munitions factories by the end of the war.
However, munitions work was notoriously dangerous. Prolonged exposure to the toxic TNT used in explosives caused women‘s skin to turn yellow, earning them the nickname "canaries." Hundreds died from poisoning. With little protective equipment, accidental explosions were also a constant threat that claimed many lives.
Service in Military Auxiliary Roles
Beyond factory work, over 100,000 women served in the British armed forces in auxiliary roles. The Women‘s Army Auxiliary Corps, Women‘s Royal Naval Service, and Women‘s Royal Air Force were all established to free up more men for frontline duty. These women worked as cooks, clerks, telephonists, and electricians to keep military operations running smoothly.
Nursing Emerges as a Profession
Nursing was another major area where women made their mark. Although nursing was long associated with women, WW1 allowed it to emerge as a true profession requiring systematic training, not just voluntary aid. Around 80,000 women volunteered as military nurses from Britain alone, working alongside thousands more from the colonies and dominions. They were joined by 21,500 American nurses in 1917.
One of the most famous WW1 nurses was Edith Cavell, a British nurse in Belgium. She helped some 200 Allied soldiers escape from German-occupied territory before being arrested and executed in 1915, sparking international outrage. Her story exemplified the courage of nurses serving under dangerous conditions near the frontlines.
The Fight for Women‘s Rights Continues
The women‘s suffrage movement had a complicated relationship with WW1. In Britain, the militant Women‘s Social and Political Union (WSPU) led by Emmeline Pankhurst put its campaigning on hold to support the war effort, while the pacifist Independent WSPU opposed the war. Pankhurst hoped patriotic wartime service would help women gain political recognition.
Indeed, in February 1918, Britain granted suffrage to women over 30. But it was a limited victory, as suffrage wasn‘t extended to women on fully equal terms as men until 1928. The war showed society what women were capable of, but true equality was still a distant goal.
A Legacy of Sacrifice and Progress
By the end of WW1, it‘s estimated that female employment in Britain had risen from 23.6% of the working age population in 1914 to somewhere between 37.7% and 46.7%. However, these new opportunities came with continued injustices.
Women were routinely paid far less than men for the same work, with men earning around 26 shillings per week compared to just 11 for women in 1914. Trade unions campaigned against this, leading to some wage increases, but the gap persisted.
After the November 1918 armistice, many women also lost their jobs as employers favored hiring returning soldiers. Some women resisted this with strikes. The sheer loss of male life in the war, with 750,000 British men killed, also left many women struggling to find husbands.
Despite these setbacks, World War 1 nonetheless marked a major turning point for women‘s role in society. They proved they could do "men‘s work" and keep countries running during crisis. Through their sacrifices, they furthered the fight for political and workplace equality. While progress was slow and uneven, there was no turning back the clock completely. Women‘s wartime service laid the groundwork for greater rights and opportunities in the decades to come.
