Life During the Great Depression

The Great Depression made life difficult for many Americans throughout the 1930’s. Ann Bauer explains how her parents struggled through this period in managing a farm throughout droughts and the difficulties they faced in trying to pay for their daughter to attend Sheyenne River Academy.
Ann Bauer, a centenarian, reflects on her challenging life during the Great Depression, detailing the hardships faced by farmers in North Dakota, her struggles to complete high school due to financial constraints, and her perseverance to pursue a nursing career despite financial obstacles.
Main Topics
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Life during the Great Depression
Living on a farm in North Dakota during the Great Depression was tough due to crop failures and dust storms. [00:19]
Dust storms were so severe that lights had to be turned on in the afternoon to study in darkness. [01:13]
Farmers struggled to make a living, lost their farms due to lack of rain, and had to move away. [01:39]
Challenges in completing high school
Struggles during high school due to dust storms and lack of resources, leading to delays in graduation. [02:26]
Financial difficulties prevented easy access to education, with some students having to work to afford schooling. [03:46]
Pursuing a nursing career despite financial constraints
Despite financial challenges, Ann pursued her dream of becoming a nurse, facing obstacles like limited funds for college. [04:58]
Worked in the laundry at Union College to earn money for education, highlighting the importance of perseverance and support from mentors. [05:55]