30 amazing historic photos of Detroit wartime women at work

By on Tue, Mar 8, 2016 at 3:32 pm

March 8 is International Women's Day and to celebrate we've combed the archives of Virtual Motor City and come up with these 30 empowering images. The photos span the first and second world wars and show women who went to work in crucial manufacturing jobs in factories and plants to aid in the war effort. Rosie the Riveter may be the go-to feminist symbol for women's employment, but these real photos of Detroit women hard at work are even more inspiring today.

All photos are courtesy of Detroit News Collection, Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University.

Scroll down to view images
Page 1 of 2
Tire workers, Morgan & Wright Factory, 1910s
Tire workers, Morgan & Wright Factory, 1910s
1 of 30
Auto assembly worker, 1910s
Auto assembly worker, 1910s
2 of 30
Assembling workers, 1910s
Assembling workers, 1910s
3 of 30
Assembling workers, 1910s
Assembling workers, 1910s
4 of 30
Assembling workers, 1910s
Assembling workers, 1910s
5 of 30
Munition workers, Maxwell Motor Company, Oakland Avenue Plant, 1910s
Munition workers, Maxwell Motor Company, Oakland Avenue Plant, 1910s
6 of 30
Munition workers, Maxwell Motor Company, Oakland Avenue Plant, 1910s
Munition workers, Maxwell Motor Company, Oakland Avenue Plant, 1910s
7 of 30
Munition workers, Maxwell Motor Company, Oakland Avenue Plant, 1910s
Munition workers, Maxwell Motor Company, Oakland Avenue Plant, 1910s
8 of 30
Munition workers, Maxwell Motor Company, Oakland Avenue Plant, 1910s
Munition workers, Maxwell Motor Company, Oakland Avenue Plant, 1910s
9 of 30
Munition workers, Maxwell Motor Company, Oakland Avenue Plant, 1910s
Munition workers, Maxwell Motor Company, Oakland Avenue Plant, 1910s
10 of 30
Munition workers, Maxwell Motor Company, Oakland Avenue Plant, 1910s
Munition workers, Maxwell Motor Company, Oakland Avenue Plant, 1910s
11 of 30
Munition workers, Maxwell Motor Company, Oakland Avenue Plant, 1910s
Munition workers, Maxwell Motor Company, Oakland Avenue Plant, 1910s
12 of 30
Munition workers, Maxwell Motor Company, Oakland Avenue Plant, 1910s
Munition workers, Maxwell Motor Company, Oakland Avenue Plant, 1910s
13 of 30
Munition workers, Maxwell Motor Company, Oakland Avenue Plant, 1910s
Munition workers, Maxwell Motor Company, Oakland Avenue Plant, 1910s
14 of 30
Munitions makers, Lincoln Motor Company, 1910s
Munitions makers, Lincoln Motor Company, 1910s
15 of 30
Munitions makers, Lincoln Motor Company, 1910s
Munitions makers, Lincoln Motor Company, 1910s
16 of 30
Munitions makers, Lincoln Motor Company, 1910s
Munitions makers, Lincoln Motor Company, 1910s
17 of 30
Munitions makers, Lincoln Motor Company, 1910s
Munitions makers, Lincoln Motor Company, 1910s
18 of 30
1940s
1940s
19 of 30
1940s
1940s
20 of 30
Page 1 of 2
Next Page

Detroit Thermal lacks green light for steam project in historic Lafayette Park — for now

By Steve Neavling

Residents of the 1300 Lafayette high-rise (background) want to use steam heat that would impact the Historic Lafayette Park townhouses (right).

Detroit mayoral candidates to face off at forum focused on community issues

By Steve Neavling

Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield is running for mayor.

Detroit families still seeking answers in wake of police misconduct scandal

By Steve Neavling

Protesters demand that Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy investigate cases handled by disgraced former Detroit Detective Barbara Simon.

All material © 2025 Detroit Metro Times, Ferndale, MI. All rights reserved.

Powered By Foundation
Subscribe