The Great Depression may be a difficult topic for most people, but still an inspiration to others. The Great Depression was a very difficult time for America and for women. The women of the Great Depression faced many trials, as did many others in the United States, but they managed to overcome it all. Women of the Great Depression worked hard to remain true to themselves and their families, as well as to maintain a job, a stable family, and, for some, a strong marriage. Women worked primarily as teachers, nurses and telephone operators. workers, but when the Great Depression hit, women began to be laid off from their jobs. Additionally, many men did not agree with women working during the Depression, especially if they were married to a working wife. Women who still had jobs were often criticized for taking all the jobs away from men who didn't have jobs; when in reality these women worked as nurses, salon managers, dental hygienists, and occupational therapists. Many US states fired women who had a spouse working for the government, but like many women who did not have a spouse working in the government, they were left with nothing. As a result, an estimated 140,000 women were soon left homeless and 4 million were unemployed. Some homeless women in New York have had the opportunity to live in a women's shelter, as stated in an article written by Elaine S. Abelson saying, "...the number of occupied 'female beds' in the women's division of the Municipal Lodging House in New York City between 1920 and 1932, the dramatic increase in the number of women housed is evident, recording 3,039 beds for women in 1920, 5,814 in 1929, 23,380 in 1931, and 56,808 in 1932. .." (Ableson). The lack of jobs for women, has caused many... middle of paper ......with discrimination against women it never gets easier. Women nowadays still have trouble being equal to men; but women during the Great Depression helped women today by inspiring them to move forward and make something good out of the bad. Works Cited Abelson, Elaine S. "'Women Who Have No Men to Work for Them': Gender and Homelessness in the Great Depression, 1930-1934." Feminist Studies 29.1 (2003): 105+. US history in context. Network. April 22, 2014.(Mrs.), EL “A Woman's Letter to FDR During the Depression.” Women in America. Woodbridge, CT: Primary Source Media, 1999. American Journey. US history in context. Network. 22 April 2014. "Daily life 1929-1941". Historical events for students: The Great Depression. Ed. Richard C. Hanes and Sharon M. Hanes. vol. 1. Detroit: Gale, 2002. 305-329. US history in context. Network. April 23. 2014.