In the News: Women and Poverty, Week Ending May 29

Below are the latest links to news items in the U.S. that discuss women and poverty. These are brought to you by Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity, a national foundation-led initiative, that has collaborated with the Women’s Funding Network to bring you the latest news and analysis on women and poverty.

Here are this week’s links:

• The New York Times profiles a nonprofit that provides free clothing to assist low-income women entering the work force


• A Chicago Sun Times column focuses on Mama Brenda, a Chicago spoken word poet who performs outreach to single mothers and others in need


• A new program is encouraging healthy eating by increasing the value of food stamps for low-income mothers who shop at farmers markets, according to the Washington Post


• The Los Angeles Times notes that among the proposed cuts from California’s budget are treatment for breast and cervical cancer for illegal immigrants and women older than 65


• As reported by the Albuquerque Journal, the economic downturn has forced a local program for low-income girls to merge with a parallel program for boys


• A Chicago Tribune article profiling a program that sends kids from a troubled area to summer camp to provide both enrichment and safety quotes a mom who is concerned for her son’s safety in their Chicago neighborhood


• In a report appearing in USA Today, a single mom who lost her job is among those who send their children to a school catering specifically to homeless children


• As covered by the Chicago Tribune, a clinic for low-income women is among those being closed due to financial constraints


• In an op-ed in the Centre Daily Times, the author argues for stronger pre-natal health coverage for low-income women

This news roundup has been crossposted by Lisa Kays at Ask Us How: The Washington Area Women's Foundation blog.

Visit the Women and Poverty page on Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity!

Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity is a foundation-led, non-partisan initiative aimed at ensuring that our political leaders take significant actions to reduce poverty and increase opportunity in the United States. We bring together diverse perspectives from the political, policy, advocacy and foundation communities to engage in an ongoing dialogue focused on finding genuine solutions to the economic hardship confronting millions of Americans.

It's About Time to Increase Women's Leadership

Women's Funding Network Board member Jacki Zehner writes on her Purse Pundit blog today about the need for increased women's leadership in the corporate sphere -- a call to action echoed today on the Financial Times Op-Ed page.

The lede paragraph in the FT piece is especially juicy for this sentence: "Many boards, especially in financial services, are in flux after the testosterone-fuelled excesses that led to financial disaster."

I'm not pointing this out to start a war of the sexes, however. The FT is merely responding to what is a long-standing desire of many for gender balance in the corporate world. And Jacki's piece previews detailed work she will soon release -- in partnership with the National Council for Research on Women -- that links women's leadership in the financial sector with increased prosperity for all.

Stay tuned for more on women's leadership!

The Scoop on Women and Girls for the Week Ending May 15

Below are the latest links to news items in the U.S. that discuss women and poverty. These are brought to you by Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity, a national foundation-led initiative, that has collaborated with the Women’s Funding Network to bring you the latest news and analysis on women and poverty.

Here are this week’s links:

• An editorial appearing in the Chicago Sun Times argues that more support for single moms will benefit the next generation


• The Washington Times profiles a Washington, D.C. resident who is known for her charity work with low-income mothers


• In an op-ed for the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, a contributor in favor of Notre Dame’s controversial invitation to President Obama argues that he disapproves of bishops’ support of pro-life candidates, which he believes has led to a widening of the gap between rich and poor


• As reported in the Atlanta Journal Constitution, several clinics for low-income patients, including a women and children’s center, are slated to close in Georgia


• The Detroit News reports that Michigan’s cuts of certain programs may hurt its chances of receiving federal matching funds allocated to low-income mothers and pregnant women


• A Milwaukee Journal Sentinel commentary on a low-income clinic struggling to stay open notes that most of its clientele is single mothers and their children


• A USA Today piece on stimulus funds going to Indian tribes notes the benefits it will provide to people like Naomi Sitting Bear, a mother living with her family in dilapidated housing, as well its support for domestic violence programs


• A Chicago Tribune piece on new housing for homeless and low-income residents interviews a woman, recently released from jail, who believes that the housing will provide her with new stability and opportunities


• The Miami Herald reports on a disabled woman who was given housing from Habitat for Humanity on Mother’s Day


• The Governor of Rhode Island has proposed a plan that would cut state aid to low-income pregnant women, as noted by the Associated Press

This news roundup has been crossposted by Lisa Kays at Ask Us How: The Washington Area Women's Foundation blog.

Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity is a foundation-led, non-partisan initiative aimed at ensuring that our political leaders take significant actions to reduce poverty and increase opportunity in the United States. We bring together diverse perspectives from the political, policy, advocacy and foundation communities to engage in an ongoing dialogue focused on finding genuine solutions to the economic hardship confronting millions of Americans.

News Roundup: Women and Poverty, Week Ending May 8

Below are the latest links to news items in the U.S. that discuss women and poverty. These are brought to you by Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity, a national foundation-led initiative, that has collaborated with the Women’s Funding Network to bring you the latest news and analysis on women and poverty.

Here are this week’s links:

• In an op-ed in the New York Times, Nicholas Kristof brings attention to the plight of poor, minority teen girls who become trapped in prostitution

• According to a study reported by the Miami Herald, black women are more likely to die of breast cancer, in part because of poverty

• As noted by the Kansas City Star, the recession has increased reports of domestic violence, with a local shelter reporting that most victims are low-income

• The Los Angeles Times highlights a rise in the increase in child support modifications, as parents losing income during the recession often find themselves unable to provide money owed to their children and former spouses, now often single mothers

• The St. Louis Post Dispatch covers a Habitat for Humanity project that brought together 650 women to build houses for people with low incomes

• A New York Times piece on the expanding role of community colleges notes that three-quarters of students at a school profiled in the article are women

• The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports on a local organization that provides a variety of education and support services to low-income mothers

• In a report appearing in the Charlotte Observer, a free program brings nurses to low-income mothers

• The New Jersey Home News Tribune reports on a local community action program offering job training to women who have lost income from a spouse

• A Kansas City Star article focuses on a local woman who, herself having grown up in poverty, has founded and operates a community services organization

To learn more about Spotlight visit www.spotlightonpoverty.org

To sign up for our weekly updates with the latest news, opinion and research from around the country, click here.

This news roundup has been crossposted by Lisa Kays at Ask Us How: The Washington Area Women's Foundation blog.

Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity is a foundation-led, non-partisan initiative aimed at ensuring that our political leaders take significant actions to reduce poverty and increase opportunity in the United States. We bring together diverse perspectives from the political, policy, advocacy and foundation communities to engage in an ongoing dialogue focused on finding genuine solutions to the economic hardship confronting millions of Americans.