The role of women changed greatly from world war one to the second. In 1914, women were not a part of the war, although they participated at the home front. When the men all went off to fight the wars in Europe, women were left to take their place in a factories and other local occupations. Their jobs were temporary and not directly on the battle field, but the labor force of women certainly increased during WWI. Army and Navy nurse corps had been established in earlier years and that was the biggest area of female participation. Not until after the bombing of Pearl Harbor was the potential value of women recognized and the WAAC (women auxiliary army corps) considered. People were hesitant to women becoming more active due to society's view of their role in the home and the masculinity/strength it took to fight. The demand for more people in the military defeated the resistance. At first, when women went oversea, performing Army jobs, they didn't have benefits equal to those "members" of the Army. WAAC volunteers got unequal pay, experienced a lack of military rank, and knew that the women in the NAVY had much more privilege. Women achieved full military status in 1943, with the passing of the Women's Army Corps (WAC) Bill.
WWI was when women could fulfill more jobs in the home front and temporarily take on the place of men in society. During WWII, women didn't just take open jobs, but created a whole new work force; women fighting in the army. They paved a new path of women's rights and equality.
Thanks for your article -- do want to point out one misleading statement that has wide impact.
ReplyDeleteAlthough the WAAC dropped the auxiliary with the 1943 bill authorizing the WAC as part of the Army of the United States (what would now be called the Army REserve), women did NOT achieve "full military status in 1943."
The WAC were enlsited for the duration plus six months; at that time it was expected that all WAC (and the other women's services less the nurses) would be discharged and the military would go back to all male. Women were restricted in rank -- they could be no higher than full colonel and then only one woman in each service (the director of the WAC for example) could serve at that grade. The highest rank most officers could achieve was lieutenant colonel (Navy commander), and there were very few of these. Women were assigned to all women units, commanded by women. Women were not permitted by law to command men, so there were no women commanders of mixed gender units.
Pay and allowances were not equal -- it was very difficult for women to claim dependents. First, no minor children were allowed to a servicewoman. Second, if a woman had a mother or husband to support she had to prove that person was dependent on her before she could receive benefits; men simply had to say they were married and they received additional pay. Women were generally not authorized family quarters.
Navy women (less nurses) were not allowed to serve outside the continental US. In 1944 it was a big deal when Navy women were allowed to be assigned to Hawaii.
These restrictions were slow to fade away. The Armed Forces Integration Act, 1947 (nurses) and 1948 (other women) set limits on rank, total numbers, and how many could serve in the upper grades. Dependency was hard to establish; not all benefits available to women; assignments were limited.
Not until 1967 were grade limits removed. The first women were selected for general officer in 1970. Other barriers were more difficult. The first post-war women pilots did not receive their wings until the 1970s. Restrictions on assignments weren't lifted until the 1990s. Assignments of the first women pilots were difficult and their reception was sometimes hostile.
Young men and women today are serving side by side in all but combat units. There are still issues but the institutionalized, legalized discrimination based solely on gender is largely gone.
March 26, 2009 5:11 AM