Women have long played a vital role during wartime. In World War I (1914–18), however, their contributions grew dramatically. Millions of women entered the workforce to fill jobs that were traditionally held by men. In addition, tens of thousands of women served as nurses and doctors, and many held posts in the military. These wartime experiences helped spur gender equality movements, including the battle for women’s suffrage. During the war women won the right to vote in a number of countries, including Canada, Germany, and Russia, while women in the United States gained the privilege shortly after WWI ended.
Marie Curie and the petites Curies
Marie Curie driving a mobile radiological unit, 1914Marie Curie driving a Renault automobile converted into a mobile radiological unit, 1914. Curie used these vehicles, which became known as petites Curies, to bring X-ray equipment to wounded soldiers at the front during World War I.Photos.com/Getty ImagesMarie Curie driving a Renault automobile converted into a mobile radiological unit, 1914. She used these vehicles, which became known as petites Curies, to bring X-ray equipment to wounded soldiers at the front during World War I.
Advancement in aviation
World War I: women workersWomen work at a U.S. airplane factory during World War I. Before the war, very few women had worked in the aircraft industry. Women took over many of the jobs of the men who went to fight in the war.Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.Woman working at an airplane factory during WWI. The number of women employed in the aircraft industry was negligible prior to the war, but by 1918 women made up nearly one-fifth of the workforce in that sector.
Mabel St. Clair Stobart
Stobart, Mabel St. Clair; World War IMabel St. Clair Stobart overcame the resistance of men who claimed that women had no place on the battlefield. She led teams of female doctors and nurses in both the First Balkan War and World War I, and was the first woman to hold the rank of major in a national army.Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.Mabel St. Clair Stobart overcame the resistance of men who claimed that women had no place on the battlefield. She led teams of female doctors and nurses in both the First Balkan War (1912) and World War I, and she was the first woman to hold the rank of major in a national army.
“Canary girls”
World War IFrench women fusing shells at a munitions factory. In Britain, female workers in ammunition plants were dubbed “canary girls” because prolonged exposure to the trinitrotoluene (TNT) in the shells turned their skin yellow. More than three-quarters of munitions workers suffered some effects of TNT poisoning, and hundreds of women died from exposure to toxic chemicals.Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.French women fusing shells at a munitions factory. In Britain, female workers in ammunition plants were dubbed “canary girls” because prolonged exposure to trinitrotoluene (TNT) in the shells turned their skin yellow. More than three-quarters of munitions workers suffered some effects of TNT poisoning, and hundreds of women died from exposure to toxic chemicals.
A strike against inequality
World War IWomen street car conductors in Britain. In August 1918 female transit workers in London staged a wildcat strike for equal pay. The strike soon spread throughout England, and British officials were concerned that women in the munitions industry would join the work stoppage. The strike was finally settled when women were granted the same wartime bonus pay as their male colleagues.Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.Women streetcar conductors in Britain. In August 1918 female transit workers in London staged a wildcat strike for equal pay. The strike soon spread throughout England, and British officials were concerned that women in the munitions industry would join the work stoppage. The strike was finally settled when women were granted the same wartime bonus pay as their male colleagues.
The “Battalion of Death”
World War IRussia's all-female “Battalion of Death” performed well during the June Offensive of 1917, but morale in the armed forces was collapsing around it. By 1918 Russia had exited World War I, and civil war had gripped the country. Maria Bochkareva, leader and guiding force of the battalion, was executed by the Bolsheviks as a counterrevolutionary in 1920.Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.Russia's all-female “Battalion of Death” performed well during the June Offensive of 1917, but morale in the armed forces was collapsing. By 1918 Russia had exited World War I, and civil war had gripped the country. Maria Bochkareva, leader and guiding force of the battalion, was executed by the Bolsheviks as a counterrevolutionary in 1920.
The end of the road
World War IFemale streetcar conductor employed by the New York Railways Company. Thousands of women were hired by transportation companies during World War I, but in March 1919 the New York legislature passed the Lockwood-Caulfield Act. Ostensibly written to improve working conditions for women in the transit sector, the law restricted the number of hours that women could work in a given week. Within months, only a handful of women remained employed by New York transportation companies.Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.Female streetcar conductor employed by the New York Railways Company. Thousands of women were hired by transportation companies during World War I. However, in March 1919 the New York legislature passed the Lockwood-Caulfield Act. Ostensibly written to improve working conditions for women in the transit sector, the law restricted the number of hours that women could work in a given week. Within months, only a handful of women remained employed by New York transportation companies.
Women in Germany
World War IStreet sweeper in Berlin during World War I. Women in Germany entered the workforce at lower rates than those in Allied countries, and women were conspicuously exempted from the Auxiliary Service Law of December 1916. That law made war-related employment mandatory for all able-bodied men aged 18 to 60, provided they had not already been called into the armed services.Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.Street sweeper in Berlin during World War I. Women in Germany entered the workforce at lower rates than women in Allied countries, and women were conspicuously exempted from the Auxiliary Service Law of December 1916. That law made war-related employment mandatory for all able-bodied men aged 18–60, provided that they had not already been called into the armed services.
Defending Baku
World War IArmenian girl defending Baku, Azerbaijan, from the Turkish army. After the fall of Baku in September 1918, the city's Armenian population was massacred by Azerbaijani nationalists.Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.Armenian girl defending Baku, Azerbaijan, from the Turkish army. After the fall of Baku in September 1918, the city's Armenian population was massacred by Azerbaijani nationalists.
Women at work
World War IWomen working at a General Electric plant in Baltimore, Maryland.Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.Women working at a General Electric plant in Baltimore, Maryland.
Putting out fires
World War IMembers of the British Women's Wartime Fire Brigade.Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.Members of the British Women's Wartime Fire Brigade.
The battle for suffrage and peace
International Congress of WomenMeeting of the International Congress of Women at The Hague, 1915. The congress was devoted to the causes of woman suffrage and peace in Europe. Social reformer Jane Addams, who had founded the Woman's Peace Party just months earlier, is seated in the front row, second from the left.Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.Meeting of the International Congress of Women at The Hague, 1915. The congress was devoted to the causes of women’s suffrage and peace in Europe. Social reformer Jane Addams, who had founded the Woman's Peace Party just months earlier, is seated in the front row, second from the left.
All in the family
World War IA 16-year-old girl working on her father's bus route in London. She has trained as a mechanic and driver, in preparation of taking her father's place when he left for the war.Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.A 16-year-old girl working on her father's bus route in London. She trained as a mechanic and driver in preparation for taking her father's place when he left for the war.
Red Cross volunteers
World War IFemale Red Cross volunteers in Berlin assembling parcels containing woolen puttees for German soldiers. The British blockade had limited the availability of leather in Germany, and the knee-high jackboots traditionally worn by German infantry were replaced with ankle boots and puttees.Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.Female Red Cross volunteers in Berlin assembling parcels containing woolen puttees for German soldiers. The British blockade had limited the availability of leather in Germany, and the knee-high jackboots traditionally worn by German infantry were replaced with ankle boots and puttees.
Training with gas masks
World War I: women wearing gas masks A women's voluntary aid detachment wearing gas masks during a training session in England during Wolrd War I.Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.A women’s aid detachment wearing gas masks during a training session in England during World War I.
Mourning the dead
World War I; Eastern FrontMourner at a Russian military cemetery in Suwałki, Poland.Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.Mourner at a Russian military cemetery in Suwałki, Poland.
