Reading recommendations - history of women in the paid workforce (US, first half of 20th century)

by Betsy149

Any suggestions for reading about women and paid work during this time period? I am interested in women's experiences at work and how those experiences related to their lives outside of the work setting.

What I am specifically focusing on:

  • late 1920's - early 1930's
  • factory workers
  • Midwest US, specifically Chicago

I have access to a good university library and know about Alice Kessler Harris.

Thanks in advance.

etymologied

  • Emily Yellen, Our mothers' war: American women at home and at the Front during World War II (New York: Simon and Schuster, 2004) There is some good back ground info here.

  • Gail Collins, America's Women: 400 years of Dolls, Drudges, Helpmates and Heroines (New York: HarperCollins, 2003)

  • Digital Collection: All-American Girls Professional Baseball League There are transcripts here of Midwestern women who worked in the war factories, one of my favorites was Smith, Helen.

  • Coryell, Janet, A History of Women in America (New York: Mcgraw Hill, 2012) Don't overlook this, as this is an excellent book.

  • Clayton, Sinyai, Schools of Democracy: A politcal History of of the American Labor Movement (New York: Cornell University, 2009)