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Female Railway Workers During Second World War

Black and white archival photograph of two women working on a large locomotive boiler. One woman is on top of the boiler and hammering wood that is affixed to the boiler. A second woman is on the ground working on the boiler.

Source: Harry Rowed / National Film Board of Canada. Photothèque / Library and Archives Canada / PA-116139

Date: November 1943

During the Second World War, railway companies employed women to fill vacancies left by male workers who went to war. After the war was over, many women left these jobs. The railway industry became male-dominated again, which is reflected in Michelle’s experiences.