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.
The National Consumers League was founded in 1899 by social reformers Josephine Lowell and Jane Addams. The League organized women to use their power as consumers to compel better working conditions and protective law for women laborers.
Even today the world of stagehands is dominated by men. The Byron Company did an entire series of photographs over 100 years ago of these extraordinary women working backstage in lighting, carpentry, and props.
Henry Ford sold more than 10,000 Model T automobiles in 1908. The demand for rubber for tires was high and the factories that processed it were largely staffed by women.
The National Women's Trade Union League was founded in 1903 at the American Federation of Labor convention in Boston. The WTUL advocated for better wages and working conditions for women laborers.
Women took on more jobs in heavy industry and public service as men were called away to fight in World War I.
The greater range of job opportunities expanded women's social roles and financial independence.
146 garment workers died in the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire in 1911 because managers had locked the exits. The New York State Legislature investigated factory conditions in the wake of the tragedy and the state's labor laws were subsequently modernized.
Durkee produced the first packaged salad dressing. The availability of low-cost prepared foods like this shifted the woman's role in the household, in some cases making it easier for her to hold a job outside the home.
Waitresses established some of the earliest all-female unions and by the 1940s, the majority of food servers in New York City worked under union contract.
The Spence School has been all-girls since its founding in 1892. Teaching was one of the few careers open to women long before 20th century social and economic development began to open other doors.
Almost seven million women entered the work force during World War II.
Nurses working from the Henry Street Settlement visited patients and families, functioning as much as social workers as health care providers. In addition to medical treatment, these women offered lessons in parenting, English, and nutrition.
350,000 women served in the American military during World War II, training as machinists, topographers, chemists, mechanics, medical personnel, pilots, and other specialists.
Cooper Union began offering training in drafting for women during World War I, believing that educated women should be utilized in skilled trades rather than factory work.
See more historic photographs of working women and New York City history in the Museum of the City of New York's online Collections Portal.
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