Women and Black People in WWII: Who Progressed More?

1935, Roosevelt even rejected passing an anti-lynching law, demonstrating a lack of willingness to aid in promoting the rights of Black individuals.

During the New Deal, women did not receive equal benefits as men. Although they obtained some advantages through their husbands' employment, they were still required to stay at home. The National Industrial Recovery Act of 1933 even permitted lower wages for women in comparison to men. As a result, in 1937, women earned approximately half of what men earned on average. This demonstrates that the New Deal primarily favored white men and disregarded other groups like African Americans and women. Nevertheless, when compared to African Americans during this time period, women had a relatively more favorable situation due to the support provided by their husbands.

Women and people of color encountered distinct obstacles that prevented them from having equal access to opportunities compared to white men. Particularly, women were frequently perceived as weaker and less confident than men, a prejudice that was evident during the 1930s when only one woman was elected to the US Senate. Nevertheless, despite this underrepresentation in politics, women thrived in the film industry and brought forth renowned stars like Greta Garbo and Mae West. Additionally, women also faced difficulties in the labor market as they were primarily categorized as homemakers from birth.

Growing up, getting married, and serving their husbands was the expected path for women. Men assumed that their wives would handle all the household duties happily, although many women were not content with this. Black Americans faced limited opportunities compared to white men for various reasons, including President Roosevelt's somewhat racist view towards them. As a result, their rights

and equality failed to improve under his administration.

The Ku Klux Klan, a highly racist group from the South of America, strongly opposed the Black community. Their main focus was on white Anglo-Saxon Protestants and they singled out Catholics, alcoholics, and especially black people. They aimed to terrify and intimidate the black community by inflicting torture, beatings, and hangings solely due to their race. The KKK was most active in the southern states of the USA, particularly Indiana, and had its largest membership in the 1920s before declining by 1941.

Blacks experienced complete segregation within their community, which hindered their ability to access opportunities or compete with white men. Prior to the war, black individuals endured harsh discrimination and racism based on their race. Even as the war began, they faced prejudice and segregation due to biased perspectives and racial separation in establishments such as schools, restaurants, and transportation.

The exclusion of black people from society during World War II due to racial discrimination led to their marginalization. In response, black Americans formed nonviolent protests through the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) to advocate for civil rights. When plans for a significant protest involving 100,000 individuals surfaced, President Roosevelt felt compelled to address racial discrimination in government and industrial jobs by establishing the Fair Employment Practice Committee. The government also took action against businesses that refused to hire black employees and threatened contract withholding unless they revised discriminatory practices. However, it is important to note that these laws did not apply to the Armed Forces, resulting in the Army initially refusing to train black officers at the war's outset.

Blacks in the Air Force were prohibited from becoming pilots,

while their roles were restricted to kitchen work in the Navy. Discrimination against black individuals extended to a ban on using their blood for treating wounded white people. Additionally, black women faced exclusion from joining the Armed Forces. Consequently, women had to substitute for men during wartime and support national operations by taking up positions in ammunition factories and other war-related jobs. This showcased their ability and parity with men as they undertook tasks previously performed by them. Eventually, women obtained authorization to serve in the Armed Forces; nevertheless, some discriminatory practices persisted.

The "Cover Girl" award was a competition in the armed forces to select the most attractive woman. This resembles a beauty contest and suggests that despite being allowed in the forces, women were evaluated differently from men. Propaganda played a significant role during the war, creating a range of opinions towards women's independence. While some supported women's autonomy, others disapproved. Black individuals exerted pressure on the government through protests, which ultimately led to some rights being granted, although not as extensively as desired.

Despite the fact that Black people did not put as much pressure on the government as women, they still managed to find their own role in the war effort due to the absence of men. This provided opportunities for them to take over jobs that were previously held by men. At the end of the war, significant changes had occurred for both Blacks and women. The military saw 600 black pilots actively involved in combat, and eventually all three services had Black officers. However, segregation persisted throughout the war within all branches of the Armed Services. These advancements for Blacks may

have appeared minimal, but they actually represented a significant improvement from their previous rights and status in America. On the other hand, women flourished during this time with 60% of the population believing that married women should work in war industries by late 1942.

Between 1940 and 1945, the workforce saw a significant increase in the number of women. By this time, there were 18.5 million women working, accounting for one third of all workers. The shipyards, aircraft factories, and armament factories were the main sectors where women found employment during this period. In these industries, they earned higher wages compared to other female occupations.

In just the ship construction industry alone, the number of employed women went from merely 36 in 1939 to over 200,000 by 1942. Moreover, approximately 300,000 women served in the Armed Forces during these years.

However, it was uncertain whether these advancements would be sustained as many women left their jobs after the war ended to make room for returning soldiers. This led to a decline in female employment which later increased once again.

After the war, four states enacted legislation requiring equal pay for women, which was a significant step forward for women's rights. In parallel, Black individuals began to make strides in various sectors including the defense industry. Despite facing lower wages compared to white men, they were gradually becoming more integrated into a society that had previously marginalized them.

Although discrimination was partially diminished after World War Two, its impact remained. In my view, women were the group that achieved the most notable progress. While societal acceptance of Black people and their rights were improving, women experienced more enduring transformation and greater

opportunities. They ceased to be viewed as mere possessions of men and began to be acknowledged as individuals. Furthermore, in specific regions of America, women obtained higher wages.

From 1940 to 1960, the number of married women participating in the workforce nearly doubled. This resulted in greater recognition for women in both professional and domestic settings. The Second World War played a crucial role in providing women with opportunities that led to their independence and advancement, surpassing the progress made by the Black community.