The structure of men’s and women’s work at canneries differed. Although most industries then were dominated by males, women assisted in administering forest plantations and reaping on their farmlands. Before factories, dairy product manufacturing (milk, butter, cheese) and preserving were essential aspects of female farm labor.
The fishing industry and agricultural employment in sugar cane fields and horticultural crops were done by men and women. Private domestic care, basket weaving, tailoring, embroidery, berry-picking, and seasonal employment in fruit canneries were all ways for mothers to make money.