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In addition, the 1930's marked great economic hardship in the United States with the start of the Great Depression. At this point in history, a college major was expected to be a practical one. As difficult financial times neared, needing to justify college expenses became very real for women and their families. A study in 1924 that surveyed nearly sixteen-hundred woman PhD recipients concluded that seventy percent required grants, scholarships, and fellowships in order to cover the expense associated with earning a higher degree. Despite the financial support, the majority of these women were required to save money for years before pursuing their degrees because the aid was never enough Despite these disadvantages, the 1930's marked the peak of woman PhD earners. These degrees varied in fields and began to legitimize fields for women that were once off-limits.

The "self-support" that these women engaged in to help finance their education became a widely accepted necessity. Both men and women were forced to find ways of supporting their education at this period of time. To help lessen the financial burden faced by families trying to educate their children, the National Youth Administration was created by the United States Government. Between 1935 and 1943, the NYA spent nearly 93 million dollars providing financial assistance. Despite the growing increasing opportunities for women in education, there was a constant need to justify the expense. As the number of college graduates increased, those who were displaced during the The Great Depression had to compete with a younger and more-educated group of people.

The 1930's also marked the 10th anniversary of Women's Suffrage in the United States. Despite earning the right to vote, women were still largely refused any role in positions of political power that allow them to make political change for their gender. . Despite growing numbers of women graduates, many were denied positions that were were qualified for in favor of men. This struggle sparked new examples of political activism and increased support for an Equal Rights Amendment.