Women's Role In The Great Depression

Before the 1930's
Toward the end of the 1910s and into the 20s, women began to dress for comfort over the formal style they had previously worn. This was partially because of the increasing number of women in the workforce due to the large numbers of men who were sent to fight in WWI. Women also become more active consumers as city life boomed. From dresses to make up, women were buying much more in both local stores and big department brands. Unfortunately, the campaign for women's rights dwindled as the depression rose. After gaining the right to vote, many women felt the need for women's movements was gone. With this attitude and the economy on the decline, the fight for women's rights faded into the backdrop.

Societal Roles of Women in
As men were failing to provide for their families, many of them abandoned their position as father and husband. This left the woman of the house to step up and take on the roles and responsibilities formerly performed by the man. Breaking the gender roles set by society, many women were further discriminated against.

Feminist Movements in the 30s
In some ways, many feminist movements died down in the 1930s because most women were satisfied enough with the 19th amendment. However, the Depression united women once again and helped them fight again for gender equality.
In 1937, a mainly female workforce involved in the cigar industry based in Detroit protested the unsanitary work environment by a sit-down strike.
Eleanor Roosevelt was a big feminist icon in the 30s. She pushed for women involvement in politics and business. Eleanor also supported groups such as the NAACP, United Nation, and National Council of Negro Women.
Eleanor even said herself, "I became more of feminist than I ever imagined"

Women in the Workforce
1931 being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize recognizes Jane Addams’ work with the poor people of Chicago. She is the first woman to win one and becomes a role model for girls around the
Women were tired of being unfairly so they joined organizations to make a change.
In 1935, under FDR's New Deal, women were hired by the Works Project Administration (WPA). Unfortunately, the WPA helped men more than women, only allowing single or widowed women to be helped. Women were assigned to "feminine" and "unskilled" jobs in the north, but black women in the south were often given dangerous jobs that put their lives in danger.

Women in Politics
President Franklin D. Roosevelt entered the office in a crucial time of the Depression. He immediate started implementing acts and programs known as the New Deal.
According to Patience Coster from New Era, New Women, FDR was, "influenced by his wife to encourage female participation in politics, appointing women to professional postilion in various New Deal programs". (Coster)
Women had many political gains during the Depression. As women dominated FDR’s New Deal, more women were excelling and becoming the first woman to do something.
"These and other appointments marked firsts for women: the first cabinet member, the first director of the mint, first woman ambassador, first judge on the Court of Appeals. (Working Women in the