Abstract
My mother was a teenager during the time her generation called “the great depression.” She lived in rural Arkansas and lost both parents during her teenage years. She experienced first hand the loss of family and economic stability. My upbringing was different both financially and in terms of family support. A name she often mentions to this day is President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. He, for her, represented a leader who cared about those who were on the margins of society. Roosevelt’s support of social programs and social welfare were important reminders that the government can help people when they need it.