During World War II, women in Southern California entered the workforce and enjoyed a newfound economic freedom. This thesis argues that the implementation of government policies and national trends by the local community reflect the ability to create an alternative economic role for women while keeping their traditional social, moral, and political roles the same. Their economic advancements remained temporary for the duration of the war.

This thesis analyzes the use of propaganda and its ability to successfully encourage women into the workforce while keeping their domestic role in the forefront. This temporary change in women's economic status through government policies and the local community was reinforced by the lack of child care, flexibility in work schedules, and a continued lack of equal pay or government representation. This thesis suggests that contrary to theories with vast role changes for women, only their economic role changed during World War II.