Member-only story
Turning the Tide—How World War II Impacted the Working Class Women
On March 8th we proudly celebrate International Women’s Day to acknowledge the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. On this day we are reminded of the strides that we have made when it comes to fighting gender disparity and gender norms. One such stride dates back to World War Two, when women were thrust into the harsh realities of war and forced to take on roles traditionally filled by men. This opportunity served as a chance for thousands of women to finally prove that they had the skills to excel in the same work that men did which helped expand the availability of jobs for women in the years to come.
The increased availability of jobs during the war meant that women worked alongside men in factories and helped build parts for ships, aircrafts, airfields, etc, however, their main contribution was in the field of nursing because only women were deemed appropriate for the role. Women were able to make great strides in the field of nursing through the expansion of nursing practices and job opportunities, as well as the legislation revision which led to the formation of new laws, movements, and government policies creating advancements for potential and current nurses at the time.
Around 4480 Canadian military nurses, otherwise known as Nursing Sisters served in the time span of…
