Rosie the riveter ww2

American women stepped up in unprecedented numbers, taking on roles previously reserved for men, demonstrating incredible skill, dedication, and patriotism. She was a cultural icon representing the women who entered factories, shipyards, and other traditionally male-dominated workplaces. Many men were unemployed, and traditional gender roles were firmly entrenched.

Rosie the riveter song

The prevailing notion was that men were the primary breadwinners, while women were responsible for domestic duties. Some women worked outside the home, but those were often lower-paying positions, such as teachers, nurses, or secretaries. Job opportunities for women in manufacturing, engineering, and other industrial fields were very limited.

However, by the late s, the global situation changed drastically. War broke out in Europe, and although the U. This surge in demand for war materials slowly began to open new opportunities. Millions of men left their jobs to serve in the military, and industries faced dire labor shortages. She was an image created by both government agencies and private companies to encourage women to join the workforce.

This image showed a confident woman flexing her bicep, wearing a red polka-dot bandana.