Full text of Facts on Women Workers : November 30, 1946

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NOVEMBER 30,

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1946

EMPLOYMENT OP WOMEN IN OCTOBER 1946

There was Barked stability in the size of the woman labor force
between September and October* However, the civilian labor force
contained about 1 1/3 million fever women in October 1946 than in
October 19^5 • Recent seasonal declines in the number of farm
workers were counteracted by an expansion in the number of women
doing non-farm work*

Number of
women

Population (14 years
and over)
Itaployed
Unemployed
Armed forces
Nbnworkers

54,060,000
16,760,000
410*000
20*000
36*870,000

October 1946
Change since
Total persons
September 1946
Number
Percent
women

106,760,000
* 80,000
57*360,000
- 20,000
- 80,000
1*950.000
- 10*000
2,170,000
45,280,000
*190,000
(0. S. Bureau of the Census)

LABOR STANDARDS

'

Equal Pay — The Executive Council* American federation of Labor*
reported to the 65th Annual Convention la Chicago: "We favor and
will support the principle enunciated in the title of the bills
(H.R.5221; S.1178) but as drafted* as amended* and reported they
should be carefully examined before approval is given* if similar
proposals are Introduced in the next Congress.11 General Erskine*
Director* Retraining and Reemployment, U. S. Dept. of Labor* also
supported rate for the job* saying sex should not be a factor
”in the selection or retention of workers or in the amount of
compensation paid.*

AMERICAN WOMAN WINS NOBEL PRIZE
Professor Emily Greene Balch* 79-y®ar-old economist* shares the
I9U6 Nobel Peace Prize with Dr. John R. Mott of the YJI.C.A* Prof.
Balch is a graduate of Bryn Mawr* a former professor of political
economy at Wellesley* and honorary international president of the
Women's International League for Peace and freedom* She is the
third American woman to receive a Nobel prise; the others were
Jane Addams* (Peace) 1931* ®ad Pearl S* Buck* (Literature) 1938*




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29.2
21.0
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NEW YOHK CITY ATTORNEY TO UNITED NATIONS POST

President Truman nas named Dorothy Kenyon, New York jurist, as
the United States representative to the United Nations Commission
on the Status of Women* Miss Kenyon is a member of the New York
bar, a former Judge of the court of the City of New York, and has
practiced law since 1919* She was a member of the Committee of
Jurists appointed by the League of Nations to study the legal
status of women throughout the world* Tho United States term on
the UN commission Is three years*
NIGRO WOMEN TELEPHONE OPERATORS
Negro women are now employed as telephone operators in New York City,
both In the local and long distance branches as well as in the long
lines division of AT&T. Negro girls have recently been hired as tele­
phone operators in Detroit, and for the past two years have been work­
ing at white-collar jobs in the accounting and commercial departments
of the Michigan Bell Telephone Company*

WOMEN'S BUREAU ACTIVITIES

A significant conference with union women was held by the Women's Bureau
Oct* 3O-31, the delegates coming from some 20 organizations (both AfL
and CIO) with large woman membership* The agenda was concerned for the
most part with a positive program of action for eliminating discrimina­
tions against women* Secretary of Labor Schwellenbach welcomed the con­
ference delegates, remarking "... we cannot have discrimination in the
matter of employment ••• the time is ripe for progress in this field*
There are two strong reasons for it: first, there has been so recent
a demonstration during the war of the capabilities of women in industry
never dreamed of before.... the other reason is, this happens to be a
time when employers want to get employees."
WOMEN AROUND THE WORLD

Women in Germany — In June 19^6 women formed 33.6 percent of all
workers in Germany, as compared with 35.9 percent in 1925. Labor
registration and employment figures by sex are now available monthly
for all Germany, and figures by Industry and occupation may be obtained
for the U* S. zone .... Berlin has 170 women for every 100 men* At
the University of Berlin, two-thirds of the students are girls.

Britain Ends Bar To Wives — Abolition of the marriage bar for women
in the British Civil Service was announced in the House of Commons on
October 15* Members of British women's organisations hailed the move
and hope private employers will fall into line with the government*
Woman Joins Rumanian Cabinet — For the first time in the country's
history, a woman was named to the Rumanian Cabinet when Dr* florica
Bagdasar, widow of the world-famed brain surgeon, Prof* Dimltrle Bag—
dasar, was appointed Health Minister, a post held by her husband at
the time of his death*




WOMEN IN THE UNITED STATES
Women Elected to Congress — Seven women were elected to the
United States Bouse of Representatives in the Rational elections,
November 5? California, Mrs* Helen Gahagan Douglas (D); Ma4ne,
Mrs* Margaret Chase Smith (R); Massachusetts, Mrs* Edith Bourse
Rogers (R); lew Jersey, Mrs* Mary T. Morton (D); Mew Mexico,
Mrs* Georgia Lusk (D); Mew fork, Mrs* George B* St* George (R);
and Ohio, Mrs* Frances P. Bolton (R).
Musicians — Dr* Hans Kindler, conductor of the Rational Symphony
Orchestra in Washington, D. C*, has announced that 15 women (of a
total of 100 musicians) will be members of his orchestra this winter*
He said women served well when they were badly needed during the war
years, but will remain on the merit of their fine playing* The
Instruments they will play: Harp, violin, viola, cello, string bass,
bassoon, French norm, and trumpet* Sir Thomas Beecham, noted British
conductor, claims thst women are a distracting influence in an orchestra
and prefers not to have them.

Mechanic — Sergt* Gavin Jean Morment, 21, native of Washington, D. C.,
is the first woman to graduate from the Army’s Airplane Mechanics
Training School at Chanute Field, Ill* She will be assigned to main­
tenance work on B-29 bombers at MacDlll Field, Fla*
Unions — Miss Agnes M* Bowden, Rew York City, was the only woman dele­
gate to the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen Convention in Miami in
September, and the first woman delegate to attend a convention since
women were admitted to membership in the 63-year-old brotherhood*
Mi8s Bowden is a brakeman on the Hudson and Manhattan Railroad* ...
Mrs* Bessie Hillman, widow of Sidney Hillman, was elected a vice
president of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers (CIO).
TRBN1

IM WOMAN POPULATIOH I9UO-I9U6
There are now almost 3 million more women of 14 and over in the
civilian population than in 19^0, according to a recent census
report for February 1946.

The present population contains about 1 2/3 million fewer single women,
and nearly 3 3/4 million more married women than in 1940, due to very
high marriage rates through the entire period 1940-46 and to an increase
in the number of persons of marriageable age* In fact, the increase in
the percent married among adult women over these five years equalled the
entire increase in the 50-year period 1890-1940* "The increase since
1940 is without doubt attributable mainly to the psychological effects
of war conditions and to a new sense of economic security resulting
from full ssxployment and higher wages*”

Numbers of older women have increased* There are nearly 1 million
more women of 35-44, and 2 million more of 45 and over, than in 1940.
These two groins now number 29J million women, who are 55 percent of
the adult woman population as compared to only 52*4 in 1940*




FOREIGN JOBS FOR AMERICAN WOMEN

Women eager for employment abroad will find opportunities limited ex­
cept in the clerical and stenographic field, and In a few professional
and highly technical classifications, such as law and engineering. How­
ever, those with the necessary qualifications who are under U5, and in
excellent health, may find interesting positions open in various coun­
tries outside the continental United States.
Information regarding overseas employment with the U. S. Government
or with private firms may be obtained from the "Guide to Foreign
Baployment Opportunities* bulletin which is on file at State employ­
ment offices. (Copies of the bulletin cannot be distributed to
individuals.)

In addition to those mentioned above, women at the present time are
needed in the following occupations: Court reporter, legal stenog­
rapher, x-ray and laboratory technician, hospital staff nurse, public
health nurse, teacher, librarian, accountant, and dietitian.
INTER-AMERICAN COMMISSION OF WOMEN
The Inter-American Commission of Women, composed of 21 delegates
appointed by the governments of the American Republics, will hold its
Fifth Assembly in the Pan American Union, Washington, D. C., December
2-12. Miss Mary M. Cannon, Chief of the International Division of the
Women’s Bureau, is U. S. delegate. Friday, December 13, the Commission
has invited women’s organizations of the United States and other Amer­
ican Republics to participate in a forum on "The Role of Women in the
World Today." Afternoon and evening sessions will be open to the public.

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF NEGRO WOMEN
"Tours is an organization dedicated to the principles of justice and
equality — two immortal words that are the foundations of our demo­
cracy," Secretary of Labor Schwellenbach told the
delegates attend­
ing the 11th annual convention of the National Council of Negro Women
in Washington, D. C., Nov. 13-16. To delegates concerned with postwar
job opportunities and training for Negro women and youth were made
available the consultative services and publications of the Women’s
Bureau, USES, and Child Labor and Touth Employment Branch of the
Department of Labor. Opening the convention, Mrs. Mary McLeod Bethune,
Founder-President, said: "Let us continue to broaden our vision, break
down the barriers, and unitedly Join nands with the women of the world ..."

H
R
ATE
V 0 A
1 U D

WOMEN WORKERS IN TEN WAR PRODUCTION AREAS AND THEIR POSTWAR
EMPLOTMENT PLANS - Women’s Bureau Bulletin No. 20Q, 56 pages, I9U6.
HOUSEHOLD EMPLOTMENT, A Digest of Current Information. Women’s Bureau,
75 pages, mimeographed.
WHO’S IN WHO’S WHO - Independent Woman, October I9U6, pp. 30U-305.
MARRIED WOMEN IN THE LABOR FORCE (their relation to the declining
birthrate), John D. Durand, American Journal of Sociology,
November I9H6.