Women of the Civil War

“Officials: Panetta opens combat roles to women.” armytimes.com. Army Times, 2014. Web. 29 Apr. 2014.

The Civil War was a fight between the north and the south. During this war, women had many roles that contributed to the outcome; the women helped fought in the war; they acted as nurses, and the Civil War affected them significantly. Women helped fought in the Civil War in a number of ways, even though it may not be physically. Women at this point in time were prohibited to join the military; yet, over 400 women assisted as soldiers in the Civil War. In order to join the military, they had to disguise themselves as men and change their names to something more masculine.

G.I. Joe, the white and brave American male soldier, was firmly the symbol of American freedom and patriotism during WWII. Meanwhile, women were encouraged to be nurses, mothers, and some were paraded around as tokens of “equality” like Rosie the Riveter and “Marinettes.” Now, the second World War has been pointed to as a turning point in women's rights. However, few Americans recognized the achievements of women and most even discouraged them. Because the many contributions of women during WWII went unnoticed, even today, Americans need to learn the sacrifices many women made while still being treated as less than a man.

“Women in the Military”. Global issues in Context Online Collection. Detroit Gale, Global issue in Context. Web. 19 Feb. 2014.

Women played a crucial role during World War II, both with the production of war materials, and keeping our country from sliding back into a depression. Since the 1940s, women have continued to struggle to prove that they can do the same jobs that a male worker can do, and should get paid the same amount for it. Equal pay for women has continued to be an intensely debated subject since World War II, when women stepped up to fill the void in the workforce that men left behind when they courageously fought to defend our country. As scores of men left the country, they left behind massive gaps in the United States workforce. The government noticed this problem, and drafted their infamous Rosie the Riveter posters (A&E Television Networks).

Women would cross-dress to fight alongside the men. This was common along the war front as women wanted to accompany their husbands or other family in battle, and some wanted to be patriotic and serve for their country. These women put their lives on the line and played the part of a comrade in war, and people believed them until they were discovered and sometimes sent back home. Although women had small roles as nurses, those who took on the important role of secretly becoming soldiers in battle ultimately changed women’s roles in society. The decision to cross-dress wasn’t very easy for many women who joined the army, however for some they felt it was absolutely necessary.

26 Apr. 2014. Coughlin, Anne M., and Blake Points. "Women and the military." Iris: A Journal About Women (2002): Pg 39.

27 January 2013. Web. 10 March 2014. Thompson, Mark. “Women in Combat: Vive a Différence.” Time U.S. Time.

"Votes for Women: Carrie Chapman Catt." Votes for Women: Carrie Chapman Catt. N.p., 18 Oct. 1998. Web. 05 Feb. 2014.

This is not all, women also became secret soldiers. In those days, it was illegal for a women to join the military, but over 400 women did. They did it by disguise themselves as men. Some of them were discovered when they had injuries and need it to be treated. All these different roles helped wo... ... middle of paper ... ...f-women.aspx Works Cited "National American Woman Suffrage Association."