World War II's Impact on the Lives of Women

The general viewpoint of women was altered following the end of World War I, but it was on the account of World War II, that the government and public's opinion of women was incredibly revised. This was seen through the upgrade of women's pay, the government's gratefulness, and the newfound awe that the people had for women. For instance, at the beginning of the Corps, a CWAC private was paid two-thirds of a male soldier's earnings for alike work, however, due to the resentment from some CWACs, the proportion was raised to 80% in 1943. Additionally, throughout WWII, many women's groups were organized. Although unofficial, these were the source of enrollment for many volunteers whom had courses like Morse code signalling, and map reading which helped to increase the military knowledge of women. Accordingly, these women saw themselves as equals to men seeing as they were about as smart as men were, at the time. It was not only the women who discerned this. The government also realized that without women, there would have been a severe problem with the manpower and that the CWACs, in addition to freeing men for combat duty, had proved themselves proficient and capable soldiers in all respects. With this point of view, the stage was set for the incorporation of women into Canada's postwar militia.