Women at Home and in the Community

Rationing:

	Consumer goods were limited so that raw materials and factories could be devoted to supplying the military operations of the United States and its beleaguered Allies. To the left, a crowd lines up for sugar rations.

Major food items were rationed or in short supply. Metal had to be used to produce armaments. Travel was limited because gasoline and tires were rationed. Because cooking and shopping defined women’s roles, the war touched every woman. Below left, a crowd forms in a store where a sign reads "One Can Only!" Below right is a ration book.

Above left, poster urging women to voluntarily comply with rationing programs. Above right, applicants for sugar ration cards being handled at the local school.

 Photo Credits (L to R): #1: National Archives, #2: Library of Congress,
#3: The Women's Memorial, #4-5: Library of Congress

(c) Copyright National Women's History Museum 2007