Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Fall 2009

Keywords

Women, books, rural sociology, novels, farms, Great Depression

Abstract

During the Great Depression, with conditions grim, entertainment scarce, and educational opportunities limited, many South Dakota farm women relied on reading to fill emotional, social, and informational needs. To read to any degree, these rural women had to overcome multiple obstacles. Extensive reading (whether books, farm journals, or newspapers) was limited to those who had access to publications and could make time to read. The South Dakota Free Library Commission was valuable in circulating reading materials to the state's rural population. In the 1930s the commission collaborated with the USDA's Extension Service in a popular reading project geared toward South Dakota farm women. This "Reading in the Home" program greatly increased reading opportunities and motivations. Of particular interest to rural women were tales of pioneer life featuring strong protagonists. Through these stories, farm women found validation and encouragement to persevere. Reading also broadened horizons and challenged assumptions. For the depression-era farm woman, reading books and other materials provided recreation, instruction, and inspiration in a discouraging time.

Publication Title

Agricultural History

Volume

83

Issue

4

First Page

503

Last Page

527

Pages

35

Type

text

Format

application/pdf

Language

en

Publisher

Agricultural History Society

Rights

Copyright © 2009 the Agricultural Society

Comments

This is the author's peer-reviewed, post-print manuscript.

This article was published in Agricultural History, 83, 503-527. The version of record can be accessed here: http://www.jstor.org/stable/40607531

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