It is 1933, the bottom of the Depression.
A quarter of the nation’s workers are unemployed.
More than half of the elderly are destitute.
Herbert Hoover’s reliance on charity to provide for millions in need has failed.
And FDR’s promise of a “New Deal” for Americans has swept him into the White House.
Now, people are writing to ask for help.
Among them is Mrs. Zoller, from Waco, Texas.
Dear Sir:
I write to ask your assistance in securing an old age pension for my widowed, 82-year-old mother.
She is helpless, suffering from diabetes, which has affected her mind.
She has to be cared for in the same manner as an infant.
She is out of funds completely.
Her son whom she used to keep house for is in a hospital in Waco, Texas.
No compensation for either himself or her.
I am a widow and have spent all my savings in caring for her.
I have kept boarders and roomers in a private home to provide for my four children, for I have always been a lady.
This is why I appeal to you, to place your dear mother in my dear mother’s place.
With no money and no place to go unless it be to the poor house.
Please do something about this request as soon as possible.
PS: I do not own my home and at present I cannot meet my bills, which are overdue.
I don’t know what to expect next.
Thank you in advance.
There were thousands of letters like this each week.
In two years, FDR will sign the Social Security Act into law.
It is grounded on the concepts of work and contribution.
— Retired workers sixty-five or older would receive payments.
— And people still employed would contribute a bit of their paycheck to fund the program, knowing that, when it is their turn to retire, they’ll get payments, too.
Social Security is an inter-generational promise.
Later amendments will expand payment coverage to retired workers’ spouses and minor children,
add survivors’ payments for the death of a covered worker,
and add disability and medical benefits.
If the Social Security system had been in place for Mrs. Zoller, it’s likely that both she and her mother would have been eligible for payments.
And she wouldn’t have to beg for help.
What makes America great?
For one thing, we feed our hungry, old people.1
Who would want to cut back on that?
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I’ll see you tomorrow.
— Brenda
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