When President Franklin D. Roosevelt made his plea to American women to join the workforce during World War II, it was the aircraft industry that was the most open to hiring women. As a relatively new industry, it didn’t hold some of the prejudices as other male-dominated professions, and it was in the aircraft factories that “Rosie the Riveter” was born. Despite the strenuous and often hazardous manual labor involved in these jobs, the women excelled in their new roles and many wished to stay on even after the war was over. With the slowdown of military production coupled with the return of men from war, however, most of the women were laid off.
Photos of Aircraft Workers during World War II:
Aviation Workers Install Engines at Douglas Aircraft
Women Working in Airplane Factory
Putting Finishing Touches on B-17F Bomber
Civil Service Worker Paints Insignia on Navy Plane Wings
Workers at Assembly and Repair Department in Corpus Christi
Woman Works as Cowler at Naval Air Base
Top-Notch Mechanic Rebuilds Airplane Engines
NYA Trainee Operates Cutting Machine at Naval Air Base
Women Working on B-17F Bomber at Douglas Aircraft Company
Pearl Harbor Widow Supervises Assembly and Repair Department
Woman Trains to Become Mechanic in Corpus Christi
Aviation Workers Assemble P-51 Wing Section
Aviation Workers Assemble B-25 Bomber Switch Boxes
Civilian Worker Assembles B-25 Motor Cowling
Aviation Worker Touches Up Bomber Insignia
Women Operate Machinery at North American Aviation
Women Workers Cap and Inspect Tubing at Vultee Aircraft
Woman is Trained as Aircraft Engine Mechanic
Pearl Harbor Widows Working in Corpus Christi
Women Aviation Workers at Douglas Aircraft Company
