Women in World War I

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In 1914 England declared war on Germany and many men left their jobs to fight overseas. Women were called on, by necessity to do work and take on roles that were out side their gender expectations. Many women took on jobs that were traditionally classed as "men’s" work.

As well as paid employment, they were also expected to take on other unpaid, voluntary work such as knitting clothes and preparing hampers for soldiers on the front. This proved that women were capable of taking on work in the employment front and therefore forced the voting controversy that was later to come.

During World War I, women had a big role to play. Coal was necessary in Britain, in homes, factories and offices and public buildings and women helped to mine this coal. This was a different scenario from World War II because most of Britain was then run by electricity. This was a dramatic change because women replaced men in power stations. Women replaced men in many factories, farms and other jobs as the men were at war with Germany and Japan and their allies. Coal was important for heating houses and for businesses. The women’s job was to pack up coal into sacks for distribution to where it was needed. Women were motivated to work for the good of the country.