Women at Work: Historic Photos From the Museum of the City of New York

The first half of the 20th century was filled with changes for women in the United States, not the least of which was the right to vote, granted by a constitutional amendment in 1920.

The rise of manufacturing created factories and industries that provided new jobs for women, and the opportunity to gain financial independence and pursue jobs outside domestic confines.

The mobilization of troops in both of the World Wars opened up job prospects for women in fields formerly dominated by men. Women also served in record numbers in many roles in the United States military during World War II.

The Museum of the City of New York is committed to digitizing its photographic holdings and has put more than 52,000 historic images of the city online so far, with more to come in the near future. We celebrate Women's History Month with this selection of photographs, and observe the 100th anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, a seminal event in women's labor history.