Factories
The working conditions for women who operated in factories were absolutely horrendous. They were paid half as much as the men were originally and instead of one woman taking the spot of one man, there were several women who were employed. Sometimes a skilled job that was initially carried out by an individual man was broken down into less skilful stages which were divided between the women.
The environment in which women worked in was hazardous and extremely unhealthy. The risk level was high, especially in ammunition factories. Women worked with explosive chemicals. This meant if one explosion went off it could trigger many others. However, their lives weren’t the only ones on the line. If not constructed correctly, these explosives had the ability to kill their soldiers. This role for women came with a lot of responsibility.
Women had no protective clothing at all and worked long hard hours. One of the main chemicals they worked with was sulphur which turned their skin yellow. Women’s lungs also became damaged as a result of acid fumes and high levels of explosives. The majority of employers didn’t have female toilets and they also didn’t provide child care for mothers working at their factories.
Although women weren’t paid fairly, were discriminated against and worked in dangerous conditions, they were willing to help their country and assist their soldiers in winning the war.
The environment in which women worked in was hazardous and extremely unhealthy. The risk level was high, especially in ammunition factories. Women worked with explosive chemicals. This meant if one explosion went off it could trigger many others. However, their lives weren’t the only ones on the line. If not constructed correctly, these explosives had the ability to kill their soldiers. This role for women came with a lot of responsibility.
Women had no protective clothing at all and worked long hard hours. One of the main chemicals they worked with was sulphur which turned their skin yellow. Women’s lungs also became damaged as a result of acid fumes and high levels of explosives. The majority of employers didn’t have female toilets and they also didn’t provide child care for mothers working at their factories.
Although women weren’t paid fairly, were discriminated against and worked in dangerous conditions, they were willing to help their country and assist their soldiers in winning the war.
Hospitals
Nurses were sent overseas during World War 1 to provide medical care to the soldiers who were in need of it. These women worked in absolutely awful conditions. The pay was poor and they often worked an 18 hour day. There was a lack of nurses which meant that the women were over worked and became exhausted. They hardly got any sleep. Their living quarters were usually located in close range to the battlefield and explosions and gunshots could be heard. Like the men, the women also experienced trauma from the things they had witnessed and their experience during the war.
Throughout these tough times, nurses had to be able to think on their feet and make quick decisions. They had to work fast to keep up with the continuous demand for their medical help. There was a shortage of resources and equipment which meant the nurses had to do the best with what they had.
Women also had to deal with the extreme weather conditions that they were forced to face. From the exhausting heat to the unpleasant cold winters and rainy days; they battled through it all.
Supplies ran low and there was a shortage of water. As time went on the food became more and more basic.
Nurses who worked in field hospitals were always at risk. Most of them were constantly under attack by the enemy. The women were terrified when these attacks occurred.
Nurses operated in extremely unhealthy conditions. They had to attend to soldiers who were carrying viruses, had diseases or infections. They also ran the risk of catching the illness themselves. Some of these viruses were deadly. For example, the influenza pandemic of 1918. In a single year, it took the lives of around 20 to 40 million people. It took more lives than the war itself.
Nurses experienced many hardships during WW1. They were surrounded by sadness, worked in appalling conditions, experienced terrible weather, had shortages in supplies and went through several traumatic encounters; however, they remained strong and attended to the soldiers who were in need of their help.
Throughout these tough times, nurses had to be able to think on their feet and make quick decisions. They had to work fast to keep up with the continuous demand for their medical help. There was a shortage of resources and equipment which meant the nurses had to do the best with what they had.
Women also had to deal with the extreme weather conditions that they were forced to face. From the exhausting heat to the unpleasant cold winters and rainy days; they battled through it all.
Supplies ran low and there was a shortage of water. As time went on the food became more and more basic.
Nurses who worked in field hospitals were always at risk. Most of them were constantly under attack by the enemy. The women were terrified when these attacks occurred.
Nurses operated in extremely unhealthy conditions. They had to attend to soldiers who were carrying viruses, had diseases or infections. They also ran the risk of catching the illness themselves. Some of these viruses were deadly. For example, the influenza pandemic of 1918. In a single year, it took the lives of around 20 to 40 million people. It took more lives than the war itself.
Nurses experienced many hardships during WW1. They were surrounded by sadness, worked in appalling conditions, experienced terrible weather, had shortages in supplies and went through several traumatic encounters; however, they remained strong and attended to the soldiers who were in need of their help.
© 2013 Samantha Tong