The Great Recession was felt in every sector and industry, though it was felt in some more than others. Industries like manufacturing and construction, predominantly male-populated industries, were hit hardest and have recovered slowest, while industries such as education and hospitality, predominantly female-populated industries, have recovered much quicker. This observation partly explains why the total number of women employed in the U.S. has reached pre-recession levels while the number of men employed still lags behind pre-recession levels by about 2.1 million.
See "Women regain jobs lost during recession", Paul Wiseman & Christopher S. Rugaber, The Yakima Herald, September 12, 2013