Remembering the WPA during Women's History Month: They gave us a good night's rest

Above: A WPA mattress-making project in Savannah, Georgia, 1936. These types of projects were numerous in the early years of the WPA, and then tapered off as the mattress industry complained about the competition (but most people receiving WPA mattresses were probably too broke to afford nice new "private-sector" mattresses anyway). Photo courtesy of the National Archives.

Above: WPA workers making comforters in Catlettsburg, Kentucky, 1936. In addition to helping low-income Americans, WPA bedding items frequently helped disaster victims. For example, in 1937 it was reported that large quantities of WPA mattresses, comforters, sheets, and pillow cases were being sent to flood victims in southern Indiana ("WPA Workers Making Bedding for Refugees," Muncie Evening Press (Muncie, Indiana), January 26, 1937). Photo courtesy of the National Archives.

Above: WPA workers making quilts in Los Angeles, ca. 1935-1943. A 1938 Florida newspaper reported quilts being made for some low-income families, as well as the "Plant City jail and for an orphanage in Arcadia" ("WPA Workers Make 23,839 Articles For 20,416 Poor Tampans," The Tampa Tribune, October 30, 1938. Photo courtesy of the National Archives.

Above: A woman making a quilt in a WPA sewing room project in New Albany, Indiana, ca. 1935-1943. Every so often, WPA quilts are remembered by historians and hobbyists. For example, in 1992, the Indianapolis Museum of Art exhibited historic quilts: "The selection of 10 American quilts dates from the 1850s to the present and includes Amish, Hawaiian, historic 19th century and WPA quilts. They exemplify the different styles of American heritage" ("Museum Displays American Quilts," The Republic (Columbus, Indiana), January 16, 1992). Photo courtesy of the National Archives.

Above: A WPA housekeeping aid in Louisiana makes sure that this ill 77-year-old woman is comfortable in her bed, ca. 1935-1943. WPA housekeeping aids visited the homes of low-income people-in-need and helped them with household chores, cooking, and childcare. It's hard to imagine anything like this today. Our modern American government--inspired by the demented teachings of Ayn Rand--has made its view quite clear: If you're not rich, you don't matter (indeed, the political right believes that pain, suffering, and food deprivation are good tools to make the poor work harder - "working two jobs and still can't make ends meet? Still can't afford health insurance? Well, get a third job you lazy parasite! You aren't worthy of rest, leisure, or medical care."). Photo courtesy of the National Archives.

Above: "Sleep," a painting by Maxim H. Lubovsky, created in the WPA's Federal Art Project, 1937. Image courtesy of the General Services Administration and the Genesee Valley Council on the Arts.