From 1939 to 1945, 7 million women were employed in war services and factories, whereas before the war, the usual role of women was to care for the home and children.0:31
The jobs were hard, often physically demanding and sometimes dangerous, but they had to be done, and women were relied on to do them.0:46
In 1939, the Women's Land Army, for instance, called upon women to work on the land, just as they had in World War I.0:57
The government used glamorous adverts to promote jobs, but in fact, many of the Land Girls worked in isolated communities without electricity, gas, or running water.1:08
Women found themselves ploughing fields, harvesting crops, and looking after farm animals for very little money.1:22
However, this was a vital job that women took pride in doing.1:31
As the war progressed, Britain needed more supplies.1:37
Therefore, women also took jobs in factories making ammunition, uniforms for the armed forces, and even aeroplanes.1:41
Even though factory life meant more money, it wasn't any more glamorous than the farm work.1:51
Factories were usually found in large cities, which were often bombed.1:58
Imagine having to spend nights underground in bomb shelters, then to head straight to work in the morning.2:03
By 1943, 1 million women and girls as young as 14 had signed up to voluntary services.2:12
Even Britain's future Queen, Elizabeth, gave a helping hand driving ambulances.2:21
A small number of women even took up roles in the Army, Navy, and Air Force, or worked as secret agents.2:28
The situation was similar in America.2:37
By 1944, over 19 million women were working in the United States, both in the armed services and at home.2:40
Women were the Allied forces' secret weapon.2:51
Although men may have won the war on the front line, it was women who triumphed at home.2:55
After the war ended, women went back to what they used to do before, but women had proven their capabilities.3:03
Things would never be the same again.3:11
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