Women In War Industries Summary

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“Women in War Industries” provides the perspectives of two women who worked in industry during WWII. Inez details her background, describing her family’s wealth and that before the war she had neither the need nor desire to work. She stated that when her husband’s rubber-matting business closed, she and her children moved from Ohio to Seattle to live with her parents (Sauer and Lewis 229). The interview then continues to describe her experience while working as a tool clerk at Boeing, stating that she worked seven days a week and was exposed to all sorts of new people (Sauer and Lewis 230). She also explained that her parents had deep disdain for factory workers, and that she had to overcome their judgment in order to work (Sauer and Lewis). …show more content…

Readers can infer details about race relations during the period from the differing accounts of white and black women. Inez, a white woman, never mentioned difficulties getting a job at a factory. On the other hand, Sybil stated that “you had to be pretty persistent” to get a job (Sauer and Lewis 231). Additionally, Inez started working as a tool clerk, while Sybil started working manual labor and was even demoted to performing a more strenuous task (Sauer and Lewis 229-231). Inez did not view race as a defining factor of her existence, while Sybil was more acutely aware of race in her everyday life. Sybil observed that many people thought, “you’re a Negro, so you do the hard work” (Sauer and Lewis 231). This document also displays the discrimination women faced in a factory workplace. Inez stated, “Many of the men felt that no woman could come in and run a lathe” (Sauer and Lewis 230). Sybil described similar feelings when she stated, “We were all told that when the war was over, we would not be needed anymore” (Sauer and Lewis 231). “Women in War Industries” also exposes the differences between the lifestyles of social classes. Presumably, Inez worked out of a desire to support her country and prove herself, not out of true necessity. Although her husband lost his job, she was staying with her wealthy parents and her family did not see the need for her to work. Sybil, on the other hand, worked to support herself. Inez’s family was “horrified” that she wanted to work at a factory, and when her mother found out she participated in a labor demonstration, she stated, “How could you do that to the family?” (Sauer and Lewis 229-230). This, and other evidence in the text, reveals that wealthy families were invested in their social appearance and had long-standing prejudices against the lower classes. Additionally, readers can infer from Roosevelt’s visit that he was invested in rallying the entire

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