‘It’s inherently political’: looking back upon a history of women at work

Think about the term “women’s work” and images will inevitably come to mind – possibly a grade-school teacher, or a sex worker, or a second world war-era Rosie the Riveter. We all have ideas about just what so-called women’s work is, as it’s a very well-worn concept that comes with its own set of assumptions, stereotypes and fixed ideas.

Hoping to add greater depth, nuance and historical complexity to the received wisdom around female labor, the New-York Historical Society debuts its show Women’s Work on 21 July, running through 18 August 2024. This massive undertaking dives into many thorny questions surrounding its complicated subject matter, finding fresh and insightful ways to help us see with fresh eyes. Based around nearly 50 objects, each with its own