WW1: Women

Explore the extraordinary stories of women during World War One in Australia and around the world. 

Women witnessed the events of World War One in dramatic and liberating ways. Many of their stories are unconventional and unique, forged in circumstances that were not available to men. 

Women experienced the war as nurses, doctors, journalists, educators, fundraisers, artists and soldiers. They were found in all theatres of war, from Mesopotamia and the Balkans through to Russia and the Western Front.

As millions of men enlisted to fight in the massive armies of the Allies and Central Powers, women too rolled up their sleeves and sought to actively participate in the war effort. In Australia and New Zealand, thousands of women ventured overseas, as well as supporting the home front.

But the gendered nature of war informed women’s experiences with challenges and obstacles that were not imposed on men. 

Women pushed against these limitations, demonstrating a prowess and stamina that contributed immensely to the war effort, and would provide confidence and support in the push for social and political reforms after the war.

In this portrayal of women’s experiences and efforts during World War One, explore in detail the extraordinary stories of individuals and organisation across the globe, as epic events upended the world order and utterly transformed hundreds of millions of lives.