During the major global conflicts of the 20th century, women played critical roles on the homefront and in various support capacities. In World War I, many women took over domestic responsibilities and jobs traditionally held by men, such as managing farms and businesses.
Housewives able to participate in the Canadian Pension Plan
Birth control was available
paid wages during maternity leave (18 weeks) ( now 25 weeks)
More women in government, managerial positions and medicine
some were women in Parliament
4% of women had managerial positions
7% of all doctors were female
95% of all secretaries were female
they did not want to leave their jobs after the men came back from war
Women were expected to go back to their home and take care of their families
World War Two
Women in the Forces
The Canadian Women's Army Corps (CWACs) and the Royal Canadian Air Force (Women's Division) were formedIn 1941. the Royal Canadian Naval Women's Service (Wrens) was formed in 1942
As the Allied war machine grew, women were needed for clerical and other jobs in order to release men for combat.
In 1941, for the first time women were allowed to enlist in the women's division of the Army, Navi and Air Force
Women in War Work
There was a huge change in the percentage of women working in the manufacturing field
Before the war most women worked in clerical or domestic jobs such as nursing and teaching
Women stepped into workplaces previously reserved for men such as factories, machine shops, and farms.
Homefront
Struggles
Working conditions were sometimes dangerous
Often found themselves doing the same jobs as men for a fraction of the pay
Jobs choices were often limited
Many women stepped in to run families, farms and businesses when the men signed up
Low paying jobs such as teaching, domestic work, and low skilled factory work
War Effort
75,000 gave their services in the compilation
about 5,000 women were employed in Civil Service work of a war character
more than 1,000 young women were employed in the Royal Air Force
thousands of women did voluntary work on the farms during the food production campaigns
Many women performed in patriotic duties
1920's
Fashion
Flappers’ would smoke, drank and swear. They loved fast cars and all-night dance clubs.
women were called ‘Flappers’ by men saying women were like baby birds trying to break free of their control.
Scandalously high hemlines, bobbed hair, cloche hats, and “unfeminine” shapes was the new fashions
women's fashion in the 1920’s was very stylish, inexpensive, charming, and modest
School
many were just expected to look after their family until they married or to look after their own children
about only 25% of women attended high school
Work
women occupied low-paying and low-status jobs. Many employers, including the federal government forced women to resign when they got married.
Woman Became "People"
The ‘Famous Five’ took the case to the Judicial Committee of the British Privy Council, who in 1929 ruled that Canadian women were “people’ under the law
In 1928, the Canadian Supreme Court declared that only men were ‘persons’
The 'Famous Five'
challenged the Canadian Supreme Court over women’s status
Alberta’s ‘Famous Five’ included Emily Murphy, Irene Parlby, Nellie McClung, Henrietta Edwards and Louise McKinney
World War One
Propaganda posters
to persuade woman to force or make the men in the family go for war
“The Dorcas Club”
Between January to May of 1917 about 17 ladies made 67 sets of pajamas, 101 pairs of socks and 125 box linings for the men at the front.
allowed single ladies an opportunity to contribute to the war effort
Separation allowances
is paid to a lawful wife who is dependent on her husband and to provide her needs
Jobs
Nursing overseas was very dangerous since many women were wounded and killed by enemy fire
Many enlisted as nurses and took care of wounded and/or dying soldiers
were not allowed to sign up as soldiers, sailors, or pilots
