Canadian Women at War
© Mary M. Alward
Did you know:
1. That posters in Canada urged women to give their husbands and sons permission to join the Canadian Armed Forces?
2. That Canadian women walked the streets encouraging all men who were physically fit to enlist?
3. That the young women at the blind schools in Canada spent their time knitting and sewing? The finished items were sent to Canadian soldiers fighting overseas.
4. That over 30,000 Canadian women worked in factories making guns, bullets, bombs uniforms, ships, tanks and planes? They were also employed as welders, fitters, machinists, riveters and numerous other jobs that, before the war, were considered men's jobs.
5. That over 1,000 Canadian women were employed by the Royal Air Force as truck drivers, mechanics and ambulance drivers?
6. That over 2,000 women enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces as nurses?
7. That on September 20, 1917, women whose husbands, sons and brothers served in the war were given the right to vote?
8. That thousands of Canadian women spent their time raising money for the war effort?
9. That women who couldn't work in factories or other jobs spent much of their time knitting heavy scarves, balaclavas and socks to be sent to the soldiers who were fighting overseas? They also made pillows, sheets, and flannel shirts for the soldiers.
10. That women on the homefront (at home) were as valuable to the war effort as soldiers because they kept the Canadian economy going and took over men's jobs so the men could enlist to fight?
Today is Remembrance Day in Canada. Wear a poppy and remember those who served in the Great War to ensure we could live our lives in freedom.
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