State Historical Society of Iowa

Two Teenage Girls Participating in the National Youth Administration in Iowa, 1940

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Courtesy of State Historical Society of Iowa, "NYA: Farmington Iowa," 1940

Description

The photograph depicts two young women cutting wood strips for doll beds in Farmington, Iowa. The young women were participating in the National Youth Administration, which began during President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's first term in office. As part of the NYA, young men and women aged 16 to 25 were provided work training based. Young people only qualified for the program if they were US citizens and could demonstrate financial need. The program provided two paths: one that offered technical training, as depicted in this image, and one that provided financial aid.

Full Transcript of Henry Gill's Interview

Transcribed Excerpts from Henry Gill's Interview

Source Dependent Questions

  • Why do you think the photographer documented the National Youth Administration work? Do you think this program showed a commitment by Roosevelt to all workers? Why or why not?
  • The photograph depicts two young women cutting wood strips for doll beds in Farmington, Iowa. Do you think this type of training reinforced or countered gender stereotypes at the time?
  • How did the existence of this type of government training show a change in the role of government?

Citation Information

Gill, Henry, "[Mr.Gill no. 3]," pp. 1-3, between 1938 and 1939. Courtesy of Library of Congress Courtesy of Library of Congress