Becoming a factory worker!

I still remember the look on my father’s face on that fatal day, September 10, 1939, when the radio reported that Canada had finally declared war. His face turned pale white in an instant as his eyes became watery and distant. As a First World War veteran, he always told vivid stories about the terrors of war and reminded me of what hatred can do. At first, I believed that this war wouldn’t affect me in any way at the home front. Not long after, I realized that I was terribly wrong.
I saw propaganda posters for the war everywhere on the streets about joining the war to rationing our food. Many young boys of my age were already prepared to enlist into the army. When they all left, the town felt very empty. There was labour shortage especially for war factories just like the situation in World War I. As I saw more and more propaganda posters, I felt more troubled and worried by the minute about our people at war front. There were particular posters going “Roll up Your Sleeves for Victory!” and many other slogans to specifically encourage women to contribute to the war. It actually worked. I wanted to help. I became a factory worker after several weeks. It was very hard at first, not to mention that it was my very first time wearing goggles, overalls and kerchiefs over my hair.
When I briefly looked around, there were many more women working than I would have ever expected. They proved to be just as tough, hardworking and equal as the men. Nothing seemed possible to break their concentration from their strenuous work. I was first assigned to make guns which became such a tiresome and dangerous work. The work conditions were frightening. I realized that if I made a single mistake, it could possibly result in a death of a soldier. Nonetheless, I must also take careful precautions so that I wouldn’t get injured during the process. Working in the factory was much harder than I imagined it to be...

-Marilyn Anderson