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The Impact Of The New Deal On Women

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Introduction

The New Deal, 1933 – 1941, was a government scheme established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in order to help the United States of America relieve, recover, and reform the country suffering from the effects of The Great Depression, the most severe economic downturn the nation had experienced. This was done through various alphabet agencies. Although these agencies were not directly aimed towards women, they had various impacts on them.

Rich/Poor

Firstly, the significance of the impact of The New Deal on women was varied based on many different social, cultural and racial factors. As more women from many different backgrounds left their homes …show more content…

When it came to white women, there was very little discrimination against them, as they were preferred by businesses because they could be paid less than or half of men’s salaries. The 1940 census showed that one in three white women had a desk job compared to only one in twenty black women. Probably the biggest success story for women during the 1930s was Frances Perkins, a white woman who became Secretary of Labour in the government. Appointed by Roosevelt, this was the first time a woman held such a high role in the President’s cabinet. Her responsibilities included the supervision of many New Deal agencies and their regulations. Perkins worked extensively on improving women workers’ wages and hours. Through working with the National Recovery Administration (NRA), women were able to work forty hours each week. This drove up the average for workingwomen to sixty-three percent. Through Works Progress Administration (WPA), most women began working in offices and sewing companies. Other than Frances Perkins, many other women now had important roles in many New deal agencies such as Grace Abbott, Sue Shelton White, Clara Mortenson Beyer, Emily Newell Blair, Jane Margueretta Hoey, and Rose Schneiderman. The New Deal was the reason these many women were given responsibility and advanced in the New Deal agencies. On the other hand, the New Deal was not completely the same for blacks in general, especially black women. During the boom in the 1920s, blacks were starting to be recognized more for their jazz music and dances. However, that still didn’t lead to them having more rights or gain respect or responsibilities, they were still regarded as third class people as well as slaves. Black women during the Depression suffered severely as they were highly underpaid and did not have any job security. They were responsible for their families but as soon as white women

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