Life — October 30, 1931 — page 4: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Advertisement for Unemployment Relief, circa 1930s This is a **public service advertisement** rather than political satire. It features an oval portrait photograph of a woman and appeals to male readers to donate generously to unemployment relief. The ad's emotional argument: Tell your wife you've given "more than we had planned" to relief efforts. The text suggests that wives will respect husbands who give beyond their means, seeing this as moral generosity rather than financial irresponsibility. Signed by **Walter S. Gifford** (Director) and **Owen D. Young** (Chairman) of the President's Organization on Unemployment Relief, this reflects **Depression-era fundraising** that emphasized patriotic duty and masculine honor to motivate charitable donations during severe economic crisis.