Women tar spraying the road

1916

This powerful image from 1916 shows three female workers tar spraying a road in central London—a task that, before the war, would have been carried out exclusively by men. With many men serving on the front lines during World War I, women stepped into a wide range of previously male-dominated occupations, including demanding physical labour like road construction and maintenance.

Clad in long work dresses and aprons, and armed with brooms and hoses, these women represent the indomitable spirit and resilience of the home front. Their presence in such roles was a crucial step toward greater gender equality in the workforce.

This moment, captured on a quiet London street, is more than just a snapshot—it’s a statement of transformation and determination.

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