The occupations with which women have primarily been associated are prominent, including work as a teacher, nurse, stewardess, librarian, secretary, and factory worker. However, newer fields for women are also represented, such as engineering, pharmacy, real estate, and finance, which evidence the motivation and drive within women to further their career aspirations and assert their right to professional equality.
Women at Work in the 1950s. Today’s post is written by Laney Stevenson, Archives Technician at the National Archives at College Park. In celebration of Women’s History Month and with the rousing collective movement for women’s rights and empowerment which has been reignited over the last year, it seems fitting to look back on past recognition ...
Jobs with Wings (3 of 4) As part of stewardess training conducted by the large commercial airline companies in the United States , the hostesses are taught the various parts and operations of an airplane so they will be prepared to answer questions of passengers.
In celebration of Women’s History Month and with the rousing collective movement for women’s rights and empowerment which has been reignited over the last year, it seems fitting to look back on past recognition of women for their achievements as both a mark of progress and means of appreciation for those that worked to pave a path toward equality and justice.
This bookmobile is one of two provided to serve three Kentucky counties by Homeplace Organization, a privately endowed community center. Librarian of the Hills (2 of 3) Edna Ritchie, traveling librarian in the U.S. mountains of Kentucky, finds plenty to do between her weekly trips to remote rural schools.
They were hired by Boeing Air Transport, a parent company of United Air Lines.
Mrs. Emily Valverde is one of the 859 women employed as security sales women by member firms of the New York Stock Exchange. Seated before the quotation board in her office, she can quickly check the prices bid and asked on listed stocks as she advises a client on his investment program. Ten years ago, only 178 women were selling securities.
The primary role of most women in the 1950s was based in the home. A great majority of women spent their time working as homemakers and mothers, keeping the house clean and the family fed. Different families had different approaches to this system, but for the most part, women were in charge of cooking, cleaning, raising children, ...
As the 1950s wore on, schools were faced with more students than had ever been enrolled before. There was a widespread shortage of qualified teachers, and women were quick to fill these positions. In addition to traditional teaching jobs, the booming student population inspired many districts to experiment with teacher's aides. Women filled many positions in schools, including teachers, aides, and administrators.
Some women, however, enjoyed the confidence and freedom they found in working for a living and fought hard to keep their factory work, though many were laid off by factory owners seeking to bring in an all-male workforce.
Though African Americans still faced segregation and racism in the 1950s, some businesses began opening their doors to them as employees. Some hospitals began to add African-American nurses, attendants, and support employees, while some department stores and textile factories began welcoming qualified applicants regardless of race. African American women faced an uphill climb in the 1950s but their options grew slightly wider as the decade drew to an end.