Final answer:
Mary Wells suggested that before the influence of Motown, the primary career options for black women were domestic servitude and factory work, which often involved poor working conditions and low pay.
Step-by-step explanation:
Singer Mary Wells highlighted the limited career opportunities available to black women before the rise of Motown. Prior to this era, the employment opportunities for black women were severely restricted compared to their white counterparts. The most common careers for black women were as domestic servants, performing jobs such as maids and laundresses. Factory work was another option, albeit it commonly featured difficult working conditions and the risk of abuse and harassment. Despite these challenges, black women often formed close networks of support and voiced complaints collectively against unfair treatment. The evolution of the labor market and the changing roles during wartime and peacetime gradually opened up more options for black women, including positions in nursing, secretarial work, and music. Still, these opportunities were not easily accessible and often came with lower wages and societal barriers.