Women Work for Victory in World War II tells the story of women on the home front during the Second World War.

Women Work for Victory is an important reminder of the contribution played by women across Australian society in the cause of an Allied victory. Many thousands of women joined the workforce during world War II, many working in jobs previously reserved for men.  From the fields to the factories, the armed services to the home, women produced the food, clothing and munitions that supplied both the Allied troops in the Pacific region and the civilian population.

Many of these jobs were difficult and dangerous, but thousands of women responded to the call. It is important to remember their stories.

While the critical work of women on the home front during World War II went a long way towards shifting attitudes towards women in the workforce, the exhibition also lays clear the limitations to such changes.

Women Work for Victory reveals that most women at this time were paid far less than men, even where the work they performed was identical. Equal pay was a live issue at the time, but very few women ever achieved it. As the men returned from the war, women had to relinquish many of these jobs. It was 'thanks girls and goodbye!'

You can down download the Exhibition Book here, or click for the next page to begin!

Opens online: 15 August 2020

Museum opens: 7 December 2020

Closes: 25 August 2024

 

This 75th Anniversary World War Two exhibition has been funded by the Victorian Government.

     

 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Women Work for Victory in World War II was researched and curated by the Old Treasury Building. It was funded by the Victorian Government’s 75th Anniversary of the End of World War Two Grant Program.

We thank the following organisations:
Victorian Government
Australian War Memorial
National Library of Australia
State Library Victoria

And the following people:
Professor Marian Quartly
Professor Judith Smart
Megan Atkins, exhibition design
Simon Luciow, exhibition installation
Sue Maslin, Film Art Media
Damian Lonel, Playwork Studios