This picture is a primary source that shows us how the U.S. used posters and pictures as a way of motivation to get women to employ in the Services. It shows the women that they can help out with the war without having to fight. They can help fight the economic war in America.
http://sirs.sks.com/graphic/4/0000020314.gif
WWII was the first time women were encouraged to join in the war efforts. There was a vast amount of propaganda directed specifically towards women. The most famous propaganda poster was a picture of Rosie the Riveter flexing her muscle saying "We Can Do It!" (see bottom of page for picture). Women were now seen as strong and capable of doing things just as well as men could. The most famous women's army division was the Women's Army Corps. They served in a variety of ways including nursing, secretarial work, airplane navigation, and sometimes actual hand to hand combat. Not only white women served, but also African American women; although, they were most often in separate divisions and ranks.
Questions:
Did African American women serve in WWII?
Answer: Yes
Did women serve as pilots?
Answer: Yes
What do you call the division women served in?
Answer: The Women's Army Corps
Who was Rosie the Riveter?
Answer: Type of propaganda used to encourage women to join the war effort.
Links to Information About Women in WWII:The Women's Army Corps
- This website is a secondary source explaining what the Women's Army Corps was. It was written in 2005 by Judith A. Bellafaire. It described the recruitment, training, and duties of a member of that Corps. This shows that women had an active role in the war front, not only home. It also includes a picture depticing a member of the Corps at work.
- This is a newspaper article from USA Today on Febuary 17, 1999. It is a secondary source that shows statistics about women in the 1900s. The statistics show a significant increase in women working and gaining more rights through the 20th century. This movement was clearly marked by the WWII era. Women became more involved in the nation's affairs during that time period, which greatly affected the present day.
- This is a quote by Eleanor Roosevelt, which is a primary source. The quote basically urged women to join the war effort because they are "weapons waiting to be used". There is also a story about women pilots included on this link. This shows that some women helped with the war effort by navigating airplanes.
- This is a primary source that tells the experiences Betty Jane Williams had as a woman pilot in WWII. It was written in 1992, so Williams was reflecting on her past experiences. This confirms that there were many woman pilots serving in WWII.
- This is another primary source published in 1992 giving past experiences of WWII veteran women. It described the many jobs and services women rendered to assist the war effort. It showed the change in perception of women from weak and docile to strong and capable.
- This is a primary source published in 1994 documenting the feelings and experiences African American women had while serving in the Army during WWII. One person said, "the Army linked people together regardless of race or gender". This was also a catalyst for change in civil rights too.
- This is a secondary source that described how war jobs gradually opened up for women. This article was published in 1999 to "Salute Women in American History". It tells about President Truman signing the Women's Armed Services Act into law. This "opened the way for women to serve in peacetime military".
This picture is a primary source. It is a type of propaganda that encouraged women to join the war effort. This image depicts women as strong and capable, which is a new image of women for this time period.
http://archive.ccm.edu/rosie/images/
WeCanDoItPoster%5B1%5D.jpg
This image is a primary source that was taken sometime between 1940-1945. It shows the amount of women that reacted to the campaigns to recruit women for the working industry. 
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