WOMEN OF THE WAR YEARS

Stories of Determination and Women
Whose Sacrifice Made An Incalculable Difference
to the Success of the War Effort

During World War II, almost 50,000 women served in Canada's Armed Services.  Over 4,500 women were Nursing Sisters (all officers); 750,000 were in the war industry; 440,000 in civilian labour force and 760,000 on farms.  Practically all these women were born before women were declared persons in Canada in 1929.

Women of the War Years is a record of the stories of women who faced challenges never dreamed of as they served in our Armed Services and worked for the war effort.  Recorded here are the memories of a child who never knew her father until he returned from overseas after World War II.  Other stories include the personal experiences of those women who lived through the occupation of their homeland by Nazi troops as well as the story of a child who survived 2 years in a Russian concentration camp. In addition, there are many stories of war brides who as young women experienced so much.

Women of the War Years is an important historical reference.  Women of this era, who earned two-thirds of a man's pay for equal work unknowingly were the pioneers of a movement that would see their status improve.

A vital contribution and an impact on our history was made by these women.  These stories document this fact. Those assisting with this project realized the need to record these stories before they would be lost with that generation.  Several publications of men's experiences of that time were available but few were written about women.

Almost 200 submissions of women's personal stories were received from across Canada, the United States, Great Britain and New Zealand.  Because of the assistance of family and friends , Women of the War Years became a reality and was published in October 2000.

Women of the War Years is a not-for-profit project.  Proceeds, if any, will go towards assisting students in the health care field.

Peggy Galloway was the driving force for the collection of the stories of  Women of the War Years.
For more information, she can be contacted at (204) 476-5828.

PEGGY GALLOWAY
Book Launch Photos
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