when were women allowed to work

Women have been involved in work for centuries, often informally and in domestic or agricultural roles. However, their formal inclusion in the workforce as paid employees in diverse roles was largely restricted for most of history. Significant strides allowing women to work in more varied professions occurred in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Industrial Revolution saw women working in factories, textile mills, and as domestic servants, nurses, and teachers. Legal and cultural barriers limited their work options and wages. World War I (1914–1918) was a pivotal moment: over a million women entered the workforce to fill roles left vacant by men who went to war. Women worked as drivers, postal workers, police, mechanics, engineers, and factory laborers. Despite poor working conditions and lower pay than men, this expanded female employment dramatically. In the UK, the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act of 1919 officially allowed women to become lawyers, vets, and civil servants, marking a major legal advance. In the US, the Women's Bureau was created in 1920 to promote working women’s welfare and opportunities. By the mid-20th century, women’s labor participation continued to rise, spurred by education, technological change, and the erosion of formal workplace barriers. However, wage inequality and job segregation persisted. In summary, women have been allowed to work in broader and more diverse roles significantly since the late 19th century, with major expansions during and after World War I, and landmark legal changes such as the 1919 act in the UK and organizational support in the US from 1920 onward.