Women and World War II

Pictures of women working in production work in factories during World War II, part of the homefront war effort.

Women and World War II: how women's lives changed during World War II.

Women's lives changed during World War II. This article summarizes the changes to women's lives on the homefront.

One way life changed for many women after World War II was in the workplace. More women went to work, and many worked in jobs previously closed to women.

Women served in many positions in the military during World War II. Here are some of the ways women served.

During World War II, women in government played important roles, including attending to the morale of constituents.

Celebrities used their star status to entertain troops, raise funds at home, make films promoting patriotism, and generally support the war.

Women filled many roles in World War II, and some served as spies and resistance fighters, or were traitors, or opposed their country's participation in the war.

Gender issues related to the Nazi concentration camps and the Holocaust

America forced Japanese who were American residents and citizens into relocation camps during World War II. Here are some thoughts on the gender issues related to these camps.

During World War II, comfort women served the Japanese military sexually. While the Japanese government disclaims responsibility, many or most of the women were forced into this service.

Find a collection of images of World War II posters, showing women in many different roles: in the military and on the homefront. Also on this site: more links on World War II poster art featuring women's roles.

"Tokyo Rose" was a name given by the Allies to many women who broadcast Japanese propaganda to the Allied troops during World War II. One woman was convicted of treason for her broadcasts, but a campaign in the 1970s cast significant doubt on the charges against her.

1944 article by Eleanor Roosevelt, reviewing the contributions of Americans in the military, in civilian hospitals, women working in the war effort at home, and the woman at home who "meets war difficulties with a smile, who does her best with rationing and other curtailments...."

From the U.S. Army's web site, a history of the Army Nurse Corps and its contribution to the World War II effort.

This site focuses mainly on the men who died on the Bataan Death March or were imprisoned in camps by the Japanese. Dedicated to the men and women who fought in defense of Bataan, both American and Filipino.

A PBS "American Experience" film. On this companion website you'll find a timeline, maps, info on people, events, and the film, and a teacher's guide.

Ursula Grosser Dixon writes of her personal experience as a woman in 1943-1945. More stories of her experience are at this site, as well as stories of German history.

Margaret Bourke-White pictures: photographs by Margaret Bourke-White and portraits of Margaret Bourke-White, 20th century photographer. These include some iconic images of the fall of Nazi Germany and of a freed Nazi work camp.

Serving as a nurse was one way that a woman could serve in a supportive role in the military during World War II.

A summary of the experience of German women when the Red Army overran Berlin at the end of the war.

A rich and deep site on Violette Szabo, a British woman with half French heritage who volunteered during World War II. She parachuted into France twice, and, after she lost a gun battle with the Germans, she was sent to Ravensbrück where, in 1945, she was executed.

Photo and article about the only WASP who disappeared on a mission. Includes details about her last flight and some information about recent searches for wreckage.

Judith A. Bellafaire on the role of women in the army in World War II.

Women during World War II were actively recruited to the women's services -- see more than 20 images of recruiting posters.

Eleanor Roosevelt, in 1944, considering what will happen to the changed attitudes about working women, once the men come home. Her prediction: married women will keep jobs only if the family needs the money.