Final answer:
World War I drastically altered the nature of employment for American women, with about 1 million entering jobs traditionally held by men. These positions included industrial roles, munitions factories, and civil service, which empowered women and helped shape future employment trends. The experience also resulted in the creation of the Women's Bureau in the U.S. Department of Labor.
Step-by-step explanation:
Impact of World War I on American Women in the Workforce
World War I had a significant impact on American women in the workforce. During the war, approximately 1 million women entered professions that were traditionally reserved for men, such as those in munitions factories, the civil service, and industrial labor. This shift not only reflected the need for women to fill roles vacated by men who went to war but also challenged prevailing gender norms and notions about suitable work for women.
Many women found themselves working in better-paying jobs, with roles ranging from secretaries to nurses and clerks. The presence of women in these roles during the war led to an increased number of women participating in the labor force. This trend continued into the 1920s, with nearly one million female college graduates entering what were considered women's professions.
Following the war, there was a demobilization that resulted in the removal of many women from industrial jobs, leading to a return to more traditional gender roles within the workforce. However, the brief period of women's employment in these fields during the war, combined with their growing political power as voters, helped establish the Women's Bureau in the Department of Labor.