New book critiques welfare, poverty policy

‘Speaking Out: Women, Poverty, and Public Policy,’ a new book by the UW System Women’s Studies Consortium, is a platform for scholars, feminists, and low-income women to speak out on welfare reform.

The 265-page book was published through the Office of the UW System Women’s Studies Librarian and the General Library System.

The Speaking Out contributors provide historical perspectives and policy critiques, examine welfare reform in other U.S. states and report on other countries’ ideas about welfare.

Some studies offer resources and strategies for teaching about poverty. Others discuss the experiences of welfare recipients or analyze literary explorations of poverty. Several scholars speak from the viewpoint of having been poor and/or on welfare. The book is a collection of papers from the 23rd annual Women’s Studies Conference held in fall 1998 in Eau Claire. The book is available in print format or by visiting: http://www.library.wisc.edu/libraries/WomensStudies/homemore.htm#bookpubs.

The online PDF version is completely searchable and includes links from the contents page to individual chapters.

For a free print copy of “Speaking Out: Women, Poverty, and Public Policy,” contact the Women’s Studies Librarian, 430 Memorial Library, 728 State St., Madison, WI 53706, or call (608) 263-5754.