Women in munitions factories

This is an ambulance, it represents the start of a major turning point in Canadian history when women were welcomed and wanted in the work force. It also symbolizes the first time women served as a part of the military forces allowing them to overcome another obstacle in order to reach their goal of equality. At first, women were discouraged from being involved in the military, but as the war progressed, the government realized that the demand for soldiers was greater than they had originally expected.

Although women could not partake in combat, they still helped the soldiers succeed on the battle field by driving tanks and ambulances, delivering messages, sorting mail and many more. Their acceptance in the working society greatly impacted the role of women in Canada from that time to this present day[1]. However, even though the thought of women working was beginning to be recognized, equality in the work area and full acceptance in the labor force was far from perfect.

“ Before the war, it was generally expected that a working man was the main provider for his family. So, any woman who took a job was somehow taking it from a man, who needed it to support his family.”[2] Though when these men went to war, women were no longer told to not steal a job from a man and were instead urged to work. Women were eager to start, ready to demonstrate to Canada what they can do, proving that they had just as much skill, ability and strength to accomplish the jobs men did. In 1941 to 1942, Canada added the Women’s Royal Canadian Naval Service, the Canadian Women’s Army Corps, and the Women’s Division: Royal Canadian Air Force to their list of military groups. More than 50, 000 women served in these forces during the war[3]. Women joining the military forces proved that they could do things just as well as men could and contribute towards many aspects of Canada as well.

However, when the war ended, women were pressured to return home and to give their job back to the men. Since they already tasted what working felt like, it made their cause stronger to regain what they had lost. Dellie Hahne who was a nurse’s aide for the Red Cross during World War Two stated, ” I think a lot of women said, Screw that noise. ‘Cause they had a taste of freedom, they had a taste of making their own money, a taste of spending their own money, making their own decisions. I think the beginning of the women’s movement had its seeds right there in World War Two.”[4] Allowing women into Canada’s forces was a massive step away from gender discrimination, and towards equality.