When Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882–1945) was inaugurated as president in March 1933, the United States was at the depth of the Great Depression, the most severe economic downturn the nation had ever experienced. Almost immediately President Roosevelt and his advisers presented Congress with a series of programs designed to bring relief, recovery, and reform to the nation's ailing economy. Together these programs became known as the New Deal. As the New Deal legislation passed through Congress, many new government agencies were established to carry out the relief programs. In order to accomplish their goals, these agencies needed experienced relief workers. In America the most experienced relief workers were those trained in social work; and most trained social workers were women. Hence the New Deal agencies brought a wealth of new opportunities for these women, who were highly qualified to deal with the...