Date of Award
Fall 12-1-2002
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
History
First Advisor
William W. Griffin
Second Advisor
Wilson J. Warren
Abstract
For American women, the 1920s were a time of advancement in several areas. They enjoyed a greater role in public life through their involvement in social issues of the day and their fights for the right to vote, and they were seeking and attaining higher education in greater numbers than ever before. Most importantly, though, were the steps American women took toward more representation in the world of work. On the cusp of the Great Depression, more women entered the work force than ever before. They secured jobs in fields traditionally deemed "women's work" such as social workers, teachers, nurses and librarians in addition to more positions in other white-collar areas such as sales, journalism and financial institutions, enhancing their ability to support their families and support themselves. With the crash of the stock market in October 1929, these working women found themselves struggling to keep their jobs and the advancements they had made. And while efforts to help working men were much more far-reaching and inclusive, some of those New Deal programs helped enhance the opportunities of women who wanted to work, in particular the Works Progress Administration.
Recommended Citation
Ayer, Tamara S., "Indiana Women and Their Roles in the Works Progress Administration: Familiar Roles, New Opportunities" (2002). All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 3209.
https://scholars.indianastate.edu/etds/3209
Included in
American Studies Commons, Anthropology Commons, Cultural History Commons, Labor History Commons, Political History Commons, Public Administration Commons, Public History Commons, Regional Economics Commons, Social History Commons, Sociology Commons, United States History Commons, Women's History Commons