World War II provided unprecedented opportunities for American women to enter into jobs that had never before been open to women, particularly in the defense industry.
Women faced challenges in overcoming cultural stereotypes against working women, as well as finding adequate childcare during working hours. Minority women also endured discrimination and dislocation during the war years.
350,000 women served in the armed forces during World War II.
After the war, women were fired from many factory jobs. Nevertheless, within a few years, about a third of women older than 14 worked outside the home.
