Impact Of The Great Depression On African American Women

The Great Depression was a challenging time for the American economy, society, and its citizens. In the early 1930s, the stock market crashed, leading to mass unemployment, poverty, and hardship. During this time, women faced particular challenges in the workforce, as they were often seen as secondary earners and excluded from many of the better-paying jobs.
As a result of the economic crisis, many women were forced to find work outside of the home to help support their families. The New Deal programs implemented by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the mid-1930s provided opportunities for women to find work in government-sponsored jobs. The Works Progress Administration (WPA), for example, employed millions of women in a variety of positions,

While the New Deal programs provided opportunities for employment and economic security for many women, African American women faced significant discrimination and exclusion from these programs. For example, the National Youth Administration, which provided educational and employment opportunities for young people, was segregated, with African American women often relegated to menial jobs with low pay and poor working conditions (Ware 1981). Additionally, African American women were often excluded from labor unions and other advocacy groups, leaving them with few options for improving their working conditions and wages. Despite these challenges, African American women found ways to resist and challenge these structures of oppression. For example, the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs organized boycotts and demonstrations against discriminatory hiring practices and unequal pay (Ware 1981). African American women played a critical role in the civil rights movement of the 1930s, paving the way for future generations of African American women to fight for their rights and challenge systemic

The stress and uncertainty of the economic crisis, coupled with the challenges of finding and maintaining employment, took a toll on women's mental health. Many women experienced anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges as a result of the economic crisis (Covington 2008). Moreover, the stigma associated with receiving government assistance and the invasive questioning and examinations required to access these programs only added to the stress and trauma experienced by many women during this time. It is important to recognize and address the mental health impacts of economic crises and ensure that women have access to the resources and support they need to cope with these