I attended a baby shower last week for a young woman who is expecting her first baby. As we munched on muffins and spinach quiche, the discussion meandered to a controversial subject—working mothers versus stay-at-home moms. The new mother-to-be, who was happily ripping open presents, won’t have to choose between the two. She has a job that she loves in her family’s business that will allow her to bring her little one to work with her. But the varying opinions of the other guests—ages 10 to 85—fascinated me. I was reminded of the research I did a few years ago for my novel, “A Woman’s Place.”
If I had asked the women at the shower to complete this once popular saying: “A woman’s place is . . .” I imagine only those who were baby-boomers or older would have known the answer: “A woman’s place is in the home.” Up until World War II, that’s where the majority of women in America were. But when war broke out and every able-bodied man in the nation marched off to do his duty, the call went out for women to take their places in the workforce. The women were nicknamed “Rosie the Riveters” and millions of them went to work in factories and shipyards and hangars for the duration of the war, building tanks and airplanes and aircraft carriers. Before that time, women were known as “the weaker sex” and no one believed they were capable of doing “men’s” work. Rosie proved them wrong and forever changed society’s perception of working women.
My novel tells the stories of four very different women who meet and become friends when they go to work in a shipyard in 1942. This is one of the pictures that inspired me:
I asked my publisher to try to convey this wonderful sense of camaraderie and “we can do it” attitude on the book’s cover. I think they did a great job. (Don’t you love the shoes?)
This is another picture that inspired me:
She could be “Leave it to Beaver’s” mom, an ordinary housewife who never imagined she could weld an airplane wing or operate a rivet gun or build a jet engine. But she did. And her brave efforts helped win the war. When it finally ended, Rosie and her fellow workers went back to their kitchens, letting the returning soldiers have “their” jobs back. Once again, the popular sentiment was “a woman’s place is in the home.” Rosie became Mom to an explosion of baby-boom children.
I graduated from high school in the late 1960s and wasn’t sure what I wanted to be. But I knew I wanted to go to college. “The best jobs for women are as nurses or teachers,” my high school guidance counselor advised. “You’ll only end up getting married and having children anyway.” Ouch! By the time my generation finished college, that attitude was beginning to change. “A women’s place is . . .” wherever she wants it to be.
I toured three modern-day shipyards while doing my research and took this photo in one that builds yachts. Fully half of the employees were women, working side-by-side with men. I wondered if they knew how Rosie had paved the way for them.
Like the expectant mom at the baby shower, my career as a writer means I didn’t have to choose between my family and my work. For most women, the choice isn’t that simple. But whatever path a young woman takes in the Twentieth Century, she can thank Rosie and the generation of women who did their part during World War II for opening the door wide to the range of opportunities she now enjoys.
Latest posts by Lynn Austin (see all)
- Can An Old Dog Learn New Tricks? - November 15, 2021
- A 1951 Christmas - November 1, 2021
- Researching? - October 18, 2021
Lynn, I finished reading this book a week ago and I really liked it. Even though I am retired (mostly that is) I had a career in banking (30 years) and then in investments and insurance for 14+ years. I raised a family, 3 children during that time and I wasn’t able to attend very many of their track meets, etc., which hurt. There were many times I had wished I could have stayed at home to spend more time with them. I appreciated A Woman’s Place that delved into the four women’s hearts and souls that shared with me their experiences. Thank you for such a good book!
I’m glad you liked the book, Sally. And I agree with you that it’s really hard sometimes to be a mom and have a career, too. We feel pulled in two directions. It sounds like you were able to enjoy both. Thanks for your comments.
Great reminder of how blessed we are to have CHOICES. I stayed at home for 5 years when my kids were babies, but due to my husband’s position being cut, when my youngest was less than a year old, I was back in the workforce. Thankfully, my in-laws had moved in next door and were willing to take on day care responsibilities for us. What a huge blessing that has been over the years. Now my babies are 17, 15, and 13, and I’m glad that they’ve seen mom in both roles – nurturer/care-giver as well as working woman with passions and dreams being fulfilled through hard work. With my oldest being a daughter, I look forward to seeing what path she chooses. And who knows? Maybe one of these days I’ll step into the role my mother-in-law did and get to be the stay-at-home grandma. 🙂
Our children grow up so fast, don’t they Karen? I’m glad we have choices, too. You were very blessed to have your family next door. Right now I’m eager to be a grandma (no grandchildren yet) but I’ll gladly baby-sit whenever I can!
I loved the book as well.
Thanks! Glad to hear it.
My mom was one of those young women. She worked hard but did books not riveting. The sad part was my sister was a baby and there were barely any women to take her on. It was a scary time in many ways. But there wasn’t enough money without going to work in the factories. The Army Air Corps wasn’t paying like they do now.
That must have been a difficult choice for her. I’m so glad we now have excellent childcare options for working moms. Thanks for sharing your story with me, Sandy.
My grandmother was a young woman that was one of the highest paid workers, as a woman engineer during that time. She came home and finished school after her part was done. I am not sure she was ever a SAHM, but worked many jobs and businesses throughout her life. She was brilliant, with a very high I.Q.
Your grandmother sounds like an extraordinary woman, Martha. What a great role model she must have been for you as she pursued her dream and used her gifts. Thanks for sharing.
As many women from the 70’s on, I’ve worked most of my life to help my husband support our family. I was fortunate enough to have my mother take care of my children before they started school. I am now taking care of my two preschool grandchildren while their parents work.
It’s getting harder and harder for young families to survive without two working parents, isn’t it? That’s so tough for the women who would like to stay home. I’m sure your family is grateful that you can take care of your grandchildren. Thanks for sharing your story, Gail.
I love this book of yours. Haven’t read it for a few years now and this makes me want to pick it up again.
The post and your book remind me of the new TV show The Astronaut Wives Club, as it touches on some of the same issues in the early 1960’s and the Race to Space. Great period show with outfits and shoes just as gorgeous as those on the cover of your novel. 🙂
Thanks for the recommendation, Meghan. I’ll have to try the TV show. Glad you enjoyed my book.
I absolutely loved this book when I read it a couple years ago!!
I enjoyed this post, Lynn, and am definitely going to look for this book – – it’s one I don’t have on my “Lynn Austin Keeper Shelf” (yet)! 🙂
And like you – – I’m also looking forward to grandkiddos!!
Hugs, Patti Jo
Perhaps I am in the minority. My husband works his regular full-time job and then a part-time job to supplement so that I can stay home. It is the hardest work I have ever done, and I have had many jobs pre-motherhood. I would not want to be anywhere else but with my little ones. And my husband is confident knowing his son (and baby due in four weeks) are well cared for.
Courtney, you are in good company. I didn’t want to start a war on another’s blog because I have super strong feelings about the blessings of being a stay at home mom. It is not easy these days. Kudos to you.
I’ve read all your books, when is the next one coming out?
I feel blessed to be able to choose where I devoted my time while my children were young. Now unfortunately, the women who choose to stay at home like I did have had to put up with a lot of hassling because we “wasted our minds” spending our time with our children and not applying our minds to “public” work. I homeschooled my children for a span of 25 years and don’t feel I wasted by mind or my time in any way.
I believe others choices should be there own. My own mother would never have been happy as a stay-at-home mom. She was a practicing RN for 50 years and was good at it. I admire what she did, but it was not what I was called to do.