Women in World War 1 who did their part in changing and influencing the war.: 3D Gallery

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Doctors, Nurses, and Ambulance Drivers

The salvation army and the red cross and many other organizations depended on thousands of female volunteers. Some nurses were accepted at the front, but the woman physicians faced obstacles when putting their skills to work. When they were rejected from service in the U.S Army Medical Corps, many of them started looking for more opportunities to work in the war. Some ways were to make a civilian contract with surgeons, with the Red Cross or another humanitarian relief organization, or even the French Army. The Medical Women's National Association raised money to send their doctors overseas to work in hospitals run by the American Red Cross. By the end of the war, nearly 80 women doctors from this organization were at work in the devastated regions of Europe both caring for the civilians and soldiers and treating diseases like influenza and typhoid.

The National WW1 Museum and Memorial: https://www.theworldwar.org/learn/women

American Women

From 1890-1920 was what America calls the Progressive Era in America. There were social problems like labor conditions for women and children, and public health and safety, that became major national issues. There were women's clubs and organizations that were formed to address these social problems like the Young Woman’s Christian Association (YWCA) and the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC). There was also the National Association of Colored Women that responded to racism and other social issues impacting African-American women and their families. American children, some as young as 7 years old, were allowed to work in mines, factories, and other businesses to earn money for their families. There were no laws that restricted the children from working six days a week for 10 hours or more. The working conditions were also inhumane and dangerous.

Delaware.gov, Women during World War 1: https://history.delaware.gov/world-war-i/women-roles-wwi/#:~:text=When%20America%20entered%20the%20Great,and%20garment%20and%20textile%20factories.

(Accessed Dec 4, 2023)

French Women Workers

French Women in WW1

During WW1 1.8 million French men were drafted and 1.3 of them died in combat. Because of this, it took more than one generation for the country's gender ratio to recover its natural balance. Women rapidly became indispensable not only in nursing and welfare but in offices, factories, and agriculture, changing the whole balance of society in the process. Some 400,000 women were working in France’s war factories by 1918 and a quarter of the workforce was working with some 2,500 shells per 11 hour shift.

World War 1, A Revolution for Women: https://www.france24.com/en/20181030-world-war-i-revolution-women

(Accessed Dec 4, 2023)

The Italians

During World War 1, Italian men were drafted into the military leaving the women to take on the new roles and responsibilities in the workforce. Women were called to work in various sectors like agriculture and manufacturing to support the war. In Agriculture, women were responsible for planting and harvesting crops, tending to livestock, and performing other tasks necessary for farm life. In the manufacturing sector women worked in factories and other industrial settings, producing goods and materials for the war. They worked in hazardous conditions for long hours often performing physically demanding tasks like handling heavy materials and operating machinery. Many Italians demonstrated their strength and resilience in the war years and their contributions to the war helped support their families. This paved the way for greater gender equality in the workforce.

Life for Women in Italy, From World War 1 to Today: https://www.roadscholar.org/blog/life-for-women-in-italy-from-world-war-i-to-today/

(Accessed Dec 4, 2023)

German women

In 1914, The German producer Krupp employed almost zero women. Then by 1917 women made up almost 30% of its 175,000 workers and a nationwide total of nearly 1.4 million German women were employed in the war labor force. The women worked as ammunition testers, switchboard operators, and stock takers. They were devoted to the production of war materials whether it be from the most dangerous posts in ammunition plants to the delicate sewing in airplane factories

Women in WW1: https://www.theworldwar.org/learn/women

(Accessed Dec 4, 2023)

The Canary Girls

During the war, the women had to take the roles of the men working in factories. Roughly 80% of the weaponry used by the British army was made by women that were doing their part. This job was heavy duty and had to be precise. They had to handle detonators, explosives, and machine shell cases. The women also worked with hazardous chemicals without protection, like trinitrotoluene (TNT). Exposure to the Sulfuric Acid caused discoloration that turned their skin yellow. There were other symptoms like hair turning green or falling out, chest pain, breast deformation, weakening of immune system, vomiting, anemia, migraines, and fertility problems.

The Canary Girls and the WW1 Poisons That Turned Them Yellow: https://www.messynessychic.com/2016/02/17/

(Accessed Dec 4, 2023)

Munitionettes

During the war, women had to take on roles in ammunition factories.These women dealt with challenging and dangerous conditions. The women were handling detonators, explosives, and machining shell cases.

Young guns: the women and children of WW1 munitions factories, https://www.historyextra.com/period/first-world-war

(Accessed Dec,4 2023)

The Ottomans

The Ottoman manpower in August 1914 involved men being called into war and also the women being mobilized to work in the industrial, service, and agricultural sectors. Female labor was needed to supply a large number of soldiers with equipment, uniforms, shoes, food and care. It was also used to replace the men that had previously worked in the factories, workshops, offices, and fields.

Womens Mobilization for War (Ottoman Empire/Middle East): https://encyclopedia.1914-1918-online.net/article/womens_mobilization_for_war_ottoman_empire_middle_east

(Accessed Dec 4, 2023)

Antonia Javornik (1839-1974

During the war, some women served in volunteer corps involved in operations against the Austro-Hungarian army from August to December 1914. This was in the battles of Cer, Drina, and Kolubara. Then again during the withdrawal of the Serbian Army in Autumn 1915. Antonia Javornik (1893-1974) took part in active combat.

Womens Mobilization for War (South East Europe):

https://encyclopedia.1914-1918-online.net/article/womens_mobilization_for_war_south_east_europe

(Accessed Dec 4, 2023)

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Women in World War 1 who did their part in changing and influencing the war.

Click HERE to edit the title!

Doctors, Nurses, and Ambulance Drivers

American Women

French Women Workers

The Italians

German women

The Canary Girls

Munitionettes

The Ottomans

Antonia Javornik (1839-1974

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