Women in World War I History Essay Example

📌Category: History, War, World War I
📌Words: 995
📌Pages: 4
📌Published: 03 June 2022

During World War I, many women were denied the right to vote and the right to serve in military roles. Many regarded the conflict as an opportunity to gain more independence and rights while simultaneously supporting their country. During times of war, they began serving in the military after gaining more rights, though not in roles that we would consider “traditionally” military. Women accompanied armies, many of them being soldiers’ spouses. They supplied essential services like nursing, ambulance drivers, mechanics, and translators. Some women even contributed from the home front. While their spouses, brothers, or sons were at war, they devoted their time and energy to cooking, cleaning, and caring for their families and communities. (History, June 2019) 

Women on the home front

At the beginning of the war every American housewife was asked to sign a commitment card promising to “Carry out the directions and advice from the Food Administrator in the conduct of their household, as long as their circumstances permit.” This meant preserving food for later use, growing vegetables, and minimizing the consumption of meat, bread, and fat. As well they were active in volunteer organizations that helped military troops. For the first time in American history, women from every part of the class spectrum were serving in the war in some capacity. Upper-class women were primary founders and members of voluntary wartime organizations, particularly because they could afford to devote so much of their time and money to these efforts. These organisations were well-organized, and they worked to bring relief to the war-torn countries in Europe, even before official American entry into the war in April 1917. Women in the middle and lower classes also engaged in similar organizations and campaigns, though they were more likely to be filling men's roles at home while they were away at war. Lastly, Women were primarily expected to uplift the spirits of their families at home and their loved ones overseas. (Women in WWI, January 2020)

Women Nurses

In 1914, Britain took a step forward and expanded the employment rate of women in their military force. At the beginning of the war, the British military had approximately 3.3 million women serving. Later on, Germany was inspired and by 1917, approximately 1.4 million German women worked in the military force nationwide. Employing women became necessary and though they didn’t serve on battle fields, their work was needed and valued. An organization called The American Red Cross was run by women who risked their lives to aid wounded soldiers and operate hospitals to care for war casualties. Many women from various associations raised money to send their own doctors and anesthetists overseas to work in these hospitals. One women who was an anesthetists proclaimed “I had just given this poor boy anesthesia when a bomb hit. We were supposed to hit the floor, but he was out and didn’t know what was going on. I took a tray and put it over our heads. It wasn’t because I was brave, I was just scared.” She was the first women anesthetist, and later became the first president of California Association of Nurse Anesthetics. At the end of the war nearly 80 women doctors were at work in the regions of Europe, caring for soldiers and citizens and treating diseases such as influenza and typhoid. During World War 1 the automobile age was just getting underway, meaning motorized ambulances became key to medical treatment on the battlefield. Women who knew how to drive volunteered to go overseas and serve as ambulance drivers. Their jobs as ambulance drivers was to deliver medical supplies, transport patients and retrieve wounded soldiers. (Women in WWI, January 2020)

Female Yeomen

The US Navy was short-handed at the start of World War I, so women were allowed to join the ranks as Yeomen non-commissioned officers. Around 12 000 women enlisted in the Navy, most served stateside on naval bases, replacing men who deployed to Europe. These female Yeomen had the same responsibilities as their male peers and were paid the same wage $28.75 per month. One observer said, “American Women do anything they were given to do; that their hours are long; that their task is hard; that for them there is small hope of medals and citations and glittering homecoming parades.” Some of these tasks were mechanical engineering, truck drivers, cryptographers, stenographers, inventory control and munitions makers. As the war went on the list of jobs the Navy considered suitable for women grew. (Women in WWI, January 2020)

Hello Girls

Hello girls were women who were bilingual in French and English, they served as telephone switchboard operators on the Western front. Over 7 300 letters from women were sent to the Washington office to apply for this military job, out of these 7 300, 223 American women were enlisted. These women received physical training, observed strict military protocol, wore identity discs and worked very close to the front lines. These female recruits became known for their bravery and focus under severe pressure, though they did not receive recognition of their veteran status until 1977. (Women in WWI, January 2020)

Women Soldiers

Years before many other countries allowed female soldiers, Russia, Bulgaria, Romania and Serbia granted women the right to serve in combat. The best known of these soldiers was Maria Bochkareva. She was the founder of the Russian Women’s Battalion of Death and was the first women to lead a Russian military unit. In 1914 she asked to enlist in the Imperial Russian army and was granted permission to join. She was initially harassed and excluded, but she persevered and became a loyal veteran and commander. (Women in WWL, January 2020) Women all over the world were inspired and in 1917 when United States began enrolling women in the U.S. Naval Reserve Force, women jumped at the opportunity. Sadly, this announcement was just a prompt to shame young men into enlisting. However, LCDR received permission to employ one young women named Loretta Walsh. She became the first active-duty Navy women in American History and the first women to serve in the military not as a nurse. (Chief Yeomen Loretta P. Walsh, NA)

Conclusion

Approximately nine million women served in the war and several hundred lost their lives. Without their bravery the war could never have happened, their involvement made a huge impact and helped the war greatly. Women were not recognized for their bravery at the time, but after learning more about their role in the war, I am thankful for them and admire their bravery.

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