International Women's Day

A very belated fly-by post for International Women's Day. In lieu of having something more original to post, here's a rather striking artwork from the current display at the Keepers Gallery at The National Archives which highlights women in original artwork from the Second World War.



Ditty Box WRNS ratings, 1939-1946, Artist Olga Lehmann
Blurb as follows:

These artworks are being shown in the gallery to mark the 70th anniversary this year of Victory in Europe Day on 8 May 1945, and as part of Women’s History Month in March. During the First World War women volunteered to undertake various roles to help the war effort. As the Second World War approached, it was clear the demand for labour would increase. From 1941, every woman in Britain aged 18-60 had to be registered to work and later that year conscription of women was introduced. In 1943, almost 90% of single women and 80% of married women were employed as part of the war effort. Women worked in numerous areas during the Second World War, in paid as well as voluntary positions. This display of original artwork from the INF 3 record series highlights just a few.