THE CROWN: WOMEN IN THE WORKFORCE

When WW1 appeared, many women began to join the War Effort. They became cooks, stretcher bearers, motor-car drivers, interpreters and munitions workers. Some women even ran and attended Red Cross Aid and Bandaging classes. These same women, also enlisted to work in the nurse department, helping wounded soldiers where the war was going on. The Red Cross Nurses were then known as the Blue Birds, because of the vital service that they provided.
Several of these wonder women received the Military Medal for Bravery under Fire, but many did die of disease. Many volunteered to provide comfort, teachers and fundraising for injured troops, at home, and on the war front.
The amount of women in the workforce also rose from 24% in 1914, to 37% in 1918. They  were working in clothing, footwear, food and printing sectors, but they then began to contribute to cleric, shop assistant and teaching areas . In total, 2139 women served with the Australian Army Nursing Service, and 130 worked alongside the Queen Alexandra imperial Military NUrsing Service. 423 nurses served within Australia, and 23 of these women died in service.
Unions were also originally opposed to rising numbers of women in the workforce, because they were afraid that this would lower wages. 

'They came in an endless stream, some walking

holding arms, hands covered with blood, some on stretchers

with broken legs, some shivering & collapsed through loss

of blood & some faces streaming with blood...'
Some even set up canteens in Egypt, providing facilities for soldiers on leave.



Cartoon from 'The Worker' 10 February 1916. The cartoon depicts a situation in which a returned soldier is being rejected for employment because the business is able to pay lower wages for females.
The government proceeded to discourage women participating in these further jobs, but they were Wonder Women, and they could do anything.



The Lasso of Truth: The true role of women

This video portrays the various roles women of World War One possessed. When World War One broke at in August 1914 the men enlisted to fight in the war, many jobs were left vacant. So the women took initiative and covered the jobs left empty by the men. Some even went to the Front as well!

The easiest way to find work was by becoming a nurse. As a nurse you could work at home or at the Front. Women who wanted to nurse at the Front could join the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry’s (FANY’s).

Emmeline Pankhurst, leader of the Suffragettes, suspended all militant activities...and encouraged women to work and help the war effort.

But women who worked at the front did more than just nursing. They could join the WAAC’s (Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps). But WAAC’s were not sent to the front lines of the trenches. Women could also join the WRNS (Women’s Royal Naval Service).
These women were terrific at multitasking, simultaneously they played the role both men and women.  Truly they are magnificent!

At the outbreak of warfare men left the household, leaving both the women and children to fend for themselves at such a tough time. Many perceived the woman’s role as staying at home and caring for the children, if they could do that they were a good wife. However it is often neglected that in fact these women actually have contributed more towards society and the war itself.

Besides staying at home, these women sought to join the workforce aiming to play their part in the war. With the absence of the men, there was a large shortage of people within the workforce. So these women have proved their capability by showing that what men can do so can women. Not only did these “wonder women” join the labour force, they also participated in war-related activities by taking up positions such as cooks, stretcher-bearers, motor car drivers, interpreters, munitions workers and many more. They were also very able in sense that they formed organisations that became very active during the war time for example: Australian Women’s National League, the Australian Red Cross, the Country Women’s Association, the Voluntary Aid Detachment, Women’s Christian Temperance Union, the Australian Women’s Service Corps, and the Women’s Peace Army.  Not to mention the fact that a large number of women actively involved in encouraging men to enlist.

 Even little girls were playing a part in this war; they knitted socks, mufflers, mittens and balaclava helmets during their lunchtimes and recesses. It is reasonable to infer that the women of World War 1 were indeed “Wonder Women”.

http://www.anzacday.org.au/history/ww1/homefront/women.html