Alberta women and World War Two

Abstract

This thesis examines the role of Alberta women in Canada's war effort during the Second World War. It focuses on their involvement in the Nursing Sisters, the military, the labour force and in the many local and national volllllteer organizations. Alberta women played a significant part in each of these areas of service and they proved that they could meet and often exceed government expectations of their contributions to the war effort. Canada's Nursing Sisters were readily accepted into the military at the outbreak of World War Two due to their impeccable service record in other wars. The govenunent, however, was reluctant to admit women into the three forces in any other capacity; it took nearly two years for paramilitary groups to pressure such a move. Alberta women played an important role in the enlistment in the Nursing Sisters as well as in the officers' class and general recruitment of the Canadian Women's Army Corps, the Royal Canadian Air Force, Women's Division, and in the Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service. Alberta girls were also active in paid and volunteer work during the war. Some sought employment for the first time while others switched to new wartime jobs, often replacing men. Many women volunteered their time through a variety of clubs, organizations and auxiliaries providing valuable aid to the enlisted personnel, their families and to the many less fortunate individuals in the community and abroad. These women were essential to the maintenance of Canada's home front.