Women and WW1

 

When thinking about the First World War, we often picture the brave men who went overseas to fight for their country. We tend to think less about what life was like back home, or the people who helped keep the country running. Canadian women played a significant role in World War I and it is important to acknowledge the contributions they made for their families and their country.

 

Many women were called upon to temporarily enter the workforce in order to free up the men for duty. Huge numbers of women began taking on roles that were traditionally considered men’s work. Over 30,000 women began working in factories making ammunition that would be sent to the front, and thousands more worked in banks, offices, and farms. More than 1,000 women were employed by the Royal Air Force, driving ambulances or doing mechanical work.