Women During the War

Women were relied on during World War I like never before. Because it was declared as "total war", men went overseas to fight, so the women had to fill their spots in factories, offices, and shops. Traditionally, women were the "homemakers" who had the duties of taking care of the family and children, cooking, cleaning, and taking care of the yard. A lot of time they were judged by beauty, not ability. Because of the war, many domestic jobs were created for women, such as helping children with homework, and everyday work around the house. Women in numbers also began enlisting in the Navy and the Marine Corps soon after. There were nearly 13,000, who were all on the same status as men; this had never happened before. Also, Physical and Occupational Therapists saw service by working in hospitals in the United States as well as overseas, and organizations such as the Red Cross, Partiotic League, and WYCA also made efforts in supporting wartime hardships that the nation might face. Unfortunately for the women, the end of the "War to End All Wars" on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, 1918, boondoggled all of the plans that were made for the women. Men who had left for war returned to take their jobs back in factories, offices, and shops, but due to the bravery of women serving on the front and their proven abilities amazed President Woodrow Wilson. In September of 1918 he asked the Senate to follow the House in passing the 19th Amendment, allowing women to vote. The striving of women during World War I has had an impact on today because now women are able to have the same jobs as men and are allowed to vote as well.

Seven women being inducted into the Women's Marines