If you follow my blog on the regular, you know that I’m pretty passionate about showcasing the stories of women on the homefront and at war during WW2. I like to focus on Canada as much as I can (since I’m Canadian) but there are other times I like to just showcase all the efforts of women from all over. Today is one of those days.

This week’s post is on 1940s magazine covers showcasing women from all over doing their part for the war effort. At home or overseas.

Further Reading: Vintage Photo Tuesday: Women of WW2 “Do Your Part!”

Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy , eBay, are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

1940s Magazine Covers

Women Doing Their Part During WW2

First up I would like to kick off this blog post with this fantastic Sept 19th, 1943 cover illustration of two women in 1940s “off to work in the factory” clothing (hello saddle shoes!) and 1940s hairstyles (complete with hair scarfs and hair flowers). Love our “Rosies”.

Take a look at my friend and author, Elinor Florence’s collection of Toronto “Star Weekly” on her blog HERE.

Source: Elinor Florence

McCall’s Magazine, February 1943 with an amazing cover of an Aviatrix*.

Published in the thick of WWII, it is full of articles about making do, about sacrifice, ads about how to save, how to be a patriot and support the boys.

*Definition of Aviatrix: A woman who is a pilot.” It’s the feminine equivalent of aviator, and was often used to refer to Amelia Earhart, who vanished with her plane in 1937 while attempting to fly around the world. The word was most commonly used in the 1930s and 1940s before the role of “pilot” was well established (Source).

(available for purchase as of Nov 10th, 2022 HERE)

Source: Etsy-GroverStreetGirlSews

September 14th, 1943 – The Australian Woman’s Mirror. 32 pages of fashion, advertising, knitting, recipes and more.

Source: Etsy – TheVintageSide

1940s Cosmpolitan magazine featuring a nurse looking at her watch. Inside the magazine is ‘A Story of Wartime Marriage’.

Source: Pulpcovers.com

“Working the Farms” was an important job all over the world.

A 56-page Everywoman magazine dating from March 1942, packed with social history and women’s interest features including:

– Mrs. Miles, Britain’s only aircraft designer
– Schooling
– Advice on selecting clothes styles that will be versatile and durable
– This Changing World
– Beauty While You Work
– Tips for renovating old and second-hand furniture
– Cleaning and caring for glass and china
– Ration-book cookery with recipes for every meal including desserts
– Spiritualism
– Knitting patterns (pictured)
– Health and beauty
– Beautifully illustrated short stories
– Readers’ letters & problem page
– and of course all those wonderful wartime adverts!

Digital Copy HERE

Source: Etsy-tuppencehapenny

Chatelaine magazine, September 1942. “Clocking in to start her war work”.

Further Reading: Chatelaine-The Canadian Magazine for Women since 1928 (past blog post)

The Australian Women’s Weekly 13-01-1945. The cover features the women of Australia who entered the service to help the cause.

Further Reading: The 1940s Vintage Magazine Covers of ‘The Australian Women’s Weekly’ (past blog post)

LIFE magazine from July 1st, 1940 featuring “Red Cross Girl”.

Source: Flickr

December 1941 of Women and Home, featuring knitting and crochet patterns for Christmas gifts and a woman returing home from doing her part.

Source: Pinterest

McCall’s magazine September 1942, featuring another “Rosie” working in a factory.

Source: Pattern Vault

WOMAN magazine- “Incorporating the Woman’s budget”, May 3rd, 1943.

Source: Etsy – TheVintageSide

Collier’s Magazine July 14, 1945 – featuring Carole Landis on the cover.

Landis war work: In 1942, she toured with comedienne Martha Raye, dancer Mitzi Mayfair and actress Kay Francis with a USO troupe in England and North Africa. Two years later, she entertained soldiers in the South Pacific with Jack Benny. Benny later said that while many entertainers were reluctant to visit wounded men in camp hospitals, Landis made a point of spending time with them, and she displayed tremendous empathy as she talked with them about their lives and families back home. Landis traveled more than 100,000 miles during the war and spent more time visiting troops than any other actress. She became a popular pin-up with servicemen during World War II (Source).

Source: Pinterest

Thank you for dropping by! And thank you to all that served for your service near and far.

FURTHER READING:

• World War 2 Women’s Contributions & Homefront Posts

Liz