The Employments of Women: A Cyclopædia of Woman's Work

by Virginia Penny

"The Employments of Women: A Cyclopædia of Woman's Work" by Virginia Penny is a comprehensive guidebook written in the mid-19th century. This work serves as an encyclopedia that explores various employments available to women, addressing the critical need for women to earn a livelihood during a time when many were becoming increasingly independent due to societal changes, particularly due to the Civil War. The book aims to provide practical advice and insights into various occupations, highlighting opportunities that women can pursue beyond traditional roles. The opening of the book presents a preface and an introduction that articulate the urgent social context of the time. Virginia Penny emphasizes the importance of providing women with access to practical information about career opportunities, especially in the wake of a million men being deployed to the battlefield. She discusses the misconceptions surrounding women in the workforce and argues for expanding women's roles in various trades and professions. The author outlines her intent to create a manual that not only gives descriptions of women's work within a business context but also addresses wage disparities, educational qualifications, and the importance of employment to the dignity and well-being of women.