Women’s History Month: A Look at Women in Manufacturing

Happy Women’s History Month! To commemorate this month, let’s look at some of the most notable women in manufacturing and how their contributions made the sector what it has become today.

Rosie the Riveter

The image of Rosie the Riveter is synonymous with hardworking women in the United States. It became a rallying point during World War II.

As men were enlisted to help in World War II, many employers sought women to handle industrial tasks. At this point, Rosie the Riveter was born. She was used in campaigns to encourage women to join the U.S. workforce. Meanwhile, women embraced opportunities to work in factories and various manufacturing facilities.

Rosie the Riveter drove women to explore job opportunities in manufacturing. From 1940 to 1945, the percentage of women in the U.S. workforce rose from 27% to 37%. And by 1945, approximately 25% married women in the United States worked outside of the home.

Stephanie Kwolek

In terms of women in the manufacturing sector, Stephanie Kwolek is a unique figure. This is due to the fact that she spent her career performing polymer research.

Ultimately, Kwolek sought out “super fibers,” i.e. fibers that could withstand extreme conditions. She spent 40 years at Dupont, a company that specializes in science and innovation. During this period, she discovered myriad manufacturing fibers, including Kevlar.

Ella May Wiggins

No discussion of women in the manufacturing space would be complete without mentioning Ella May Wiggins.

Wiggins was a single mother of five children. She worked in a textile mill as a spinner during the Industrial Revolution. At this time, Wiggins advocated for the rights of workers and women in the workplace. To do so, she spearheaded textile mill strikes to bring attention to poor industry standards. Her efforts helped women take a step forward in manufacturing. They also encouraged manufacturers to provide better work conditions to all employees.

What Can You Learn from Women in Manufacturing?

The aforementioned women were difference-makers in manufacturing. They helped women thrive in manufacturing and many other industries. And they continue to make a difference in today’s world.

Job seekers can learn a lot from historic women in the manufacturing space and other sectors. These women raised the bar for workers across the United States. Furthermore, they showed that women can thrive in the face of adversity. Plus, they revealed that if you are willing to work hard and remain persistent, you can accomplish anything.

If you want a career in manufacturing, you can get started on your search for one right away. To do so, it helps to determine what you want to accomplish in your manufacturing career. You can create a list of career goals. Next, you can determine the steps you’ll need to complete to accomplish them.

In addition, you can fine-tune your resume. Also, you can enroll in workshops and training programs to build your manufacturing skill set. If you need extra help, you can partner with a professional staffing agency, too.

Interested in Jobs for Women in Manufacturing? American StaffCorp Can Help

American StaffCorp makes it easy to connect with companies in need of manufacturing talent. Our team can help you identify your dream job in manufacturing. For more information, get in touch with us today.

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