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The involvement of women played a huge role in the outcome of World War II, but after being needed - even encouraged - to take on a variety of jobs in the war-time workplace, our country simply sent these women, back into working as homemakers again, after proving they were capable of doing any man's job. For the women lucky enough to keep or find a second job, they were refused the equal pay and benefits they deserved, causing a chain reaction of movements and rebellions in the years to come.
"Women who stepped up were measured as citizens of the nation, not as women... This was a people's war, and everyone was in it."
- Colonel Oveta Culp Hobby
- Colonel Oveta Culp Hobby
"The war gave a lot of people jobs. It led them to expect more than they had before. People's expectations, financially, spiritually, were raised. There was such a beautiful dream. We were gonna reach the end of the rainbow... I remember a woman saying on the bus that she hoped the war didn't end until she got her refrigerator paid for."
- Peggy Terry, a woman who worked in a munitions factory during WWII
- Peggy Terry, a woman who worked in a munitions factory during WWII
"War holds many ironies, and among them is its liberating effect on women. Although any society at war must subject its member to greater regimentation, to loss of accustomed freedoms and to altered life-styles, it will allow - even encourage - women in wartime to do things that are closed to them in peace."
- Doris Weatherford, Author of "American Women and World War II"
- Doris Weatherford, Author of "American Women and World War II"
