During World War II, the large number of enlisted men significantly decreased the available U.S. labor force. In 1942, the government began a propaganda campaign with the goal of encouraging women to join the industrial labor pool needed to support the economy and military. The campaign centered around a fictional munitions worker named Rosie the Riveter, who was featured on posters and in a popular song. The campaign was a success. By 1945, one out of every four married women worked outside the home. This unprecedented participation of women in the workforce both helped the U.S. win World War II and redefined women’s role in society.
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