In this article statements made by elder care middle managers containing explanations of conflicts andtensions during a period of change in two municipalities are described and related to the history of thework activity. Furthermore, the explanations are associated with the construction of gender in this type ofwork activity. The results show that it is possible to relate different perceptions of work conflicts and variousconstructions of femininity to the history of the work. The use of cultural-historical and activity theoryapproaches on gender and management is discussed and a concept of activity identity is suggested.