Rosie The Riveter

1042 Words5 Pages
Prior to World War II, it was very difficult to be a woman in society; by being constantly degraded and restricted by men. However, with the effects of World War II, women were freed through the image of Rosie the Riveter, and with roles models like Gloria Steinem made changes in their homes, and in the education system. Rosie the Riveter was a drawing for a propaganda poster known as the “modern symbol of female empowerment.” (History.com Staff, 2011) Drawn by J. Howard Miller, Rosie was depicted as a “muscular and determined heroine”. (History.com Staff, 2011) This is in contrast to what women were normally portrayed as; dainty and fragile. This new depiction of women changed people’s perception, making women appear capable to take on roles…show more content…
Prior to the war many felt it was “obscure for women to have an education.” (Beard, 1946 chpt.2) However, in the 1940’s and 1950’s attending college became much more attainable for women; because of the skills and knowledge gained while working during wartime. This gave women confidence to decide they wanted to better themselves, doing so by gaining an education. With women in college, they had a stronger chance at obtaining higher positions in the workplace, which equals higher wages. Before, a women’s occupation was to stay in the home. However, after the war terms such as “married- professional” and “working-class women” were used more widely in society. (Coontz, 2011,…show more content…
Therefore, women took a stand to protect the many lives that had been lost, and to preserve their own. Finally, after protesting, petitioning and rioting to gain their freedom, women received the right to a legal abortion. In 1973 in the Roe v. Wade case the court ruled, “[it] should be [a] women’s decision to terminate her baby… by the end of the first trimester women could terminate child.”(“History of Abortion”, para.20) This allows women who chose to rid of their child, to do so in a safe environment, with a trained
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