Posts Tagged: women in WWII

A Tribute to Rosie the Riveter

Tuesday, May 30, 2023 by Sarah Sundin

Rosie the Riveter has come to represent the women of World War II. We all love Rosie. She’s strong but cute. She has biceps, but she curls her hair and does her nails. And look at that chin—she won’t let anyone tell her what she can or can’t do. She is woman; hear her riveting gun. The 1940 census counted 132 million people in the USA. During the war, 11 million men and women served in the armed forces. Even ... Read Article

Lessons from the 1940s Woman – Women’s Work Is Good Work

Monday, June 22, 2015 by Sarah Sundin

The World War II era was a pivotal time for women, a hinge between the traditional home-based women’s role and the modern career-based role. Wartime posters show the fullness of a woman’s place in society and reveal the values that drove this generation to victory. Through these posters we’ll see lessons we can learn from women of that era. She’s canning. In a frilly apron. And she’s smiling. To many mo... Read Article

Lessons from the 1940s Woman – Be Involved!

Monday, June 15, 2015 by Sarah Sundin

The World War II era was a pivotal time for women, a hinge between the traditional home-based women’s role and the modern career-based role. Wartime posters show the fullness of a woman’s place in society and reveal the values that drove this generation to victory. Through these posters we’ll see lessons we can learn from women of that era. When World War II began, women sprang to action as volunteers. This wa... Read Article

Lessons from the 1940s Woman – Support Your Man!

Monday, March 8, 2010 by Sarah Sundin

Here’s a poster that would never be printed today. To the eye of the 2010 woman, this girl looks a bit…daft. The doting little woman fawning over her man’s accomplishments. Doesn’t she have a life of her own? Maybe she’s not as stupid as we think. Though our culture has undergone a gigantic shift, the basic nature of a man has not. According to Dr. Emerson Eggerichs in Love and Respect (... Read Article

Lessons from the 1940s Woman – Make It Do!

Monday, March 1, 2010 by Sarah Sundin

In our green times, we say, “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle,” but the 1940s woman puts us to shame. For her, “Use It Up, Wear It Out, Make It Do” was more than a slogan, it was a necessary, patriotic lifestyle. Many consumer goods, such as rubber goods and some spices, were scarce because they were produced by Japanese-occupied countries. Metal goods, clothing, and leather were rationed to take care o... Read Article

Lessons from the 1940s Woman – Work Is Fulfilling

Friday, February 26, 2010 by Sarah Sundin

World War II was a turning point for women. Before the war, few married women had jobs – in fact, most men considered a working wife a shameful sign that he couldn’t provide for his family. Unmarried women found few careers open to them, namely in nursing, teaching, and as secretaries. The war changed that. In 1940, 132 million people lived in the US. and during the war 11 million men and women served in ... Read Article

US poster by J. Howard Miller, 1943 (Library of Congress: 2021669753)

Lessons from the 1940s Woman

Friday, February 19, 2010 by Sarah Sundin

Rosie the Riveter is the icon of World War II women – strong but feminine. She’s got biceps, but she curls her hair and does her nails. She can do a man’s work, and don’t you dare tell her she can’t. She is woman; hear her riveting gun. Today I’m starting a series of posts on lessons we can learn from the women of the 1940s. The World War II time period was a pivotal time fo... Read Article

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