Invitation For Thursday Conference Call About Wisconsin Women And The Recession

For bloggers and other media:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                       Contact: Caroline Dobuzinskis, Communications Manager

April 26, 2011                                                            E-mail: dobuzinskis@iwpr.org, 202.785.5100

    

MEDIA ADVISORY

IWPR STUDY: MORE SUPPORT NEEDED IN

 WISCONSIN TO MEET INCREASE IN POVERTY SINCE RECESSION

Teleconference Release Thursday, April 28

 

Thursday, the Institute for Women's Policy Research and the Wisconsin Women's Council will release a study that shows the impact of the recession on Wisconsin and the Milwaukee metropolitan region-showing that it was particularly detrimental to women and single mothers.

Overall, the study finds the number of adults living in poverty in Wisconsin increased by 34 percent since 2007. Single-mother headed households in the state were also greatly impacted by the recession. About 72 percent of all poor families with dependent children were headed by single mothers in 2009, even though single-mother families represent only 30 percent of all families with children. In Milwaukee, more women than men live below the poverty line due to factors such as unemployment and the persistent gender wage gap.

Government programs are fundamental to the wellbeing of those living in poverty in Wisconsin. The paper points to key programs, highlighting the fact that these supports do not always cover the populations that need them most: FoodShare Wisconsin (also referred to as Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) or food stamps) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Recommendations include investigating the reasons for regional imbalances in poverty rates and use of anti-poverty programs, and continuing low TANF/W-2 enrollment rates relative to the growth in poverty.

The briefing paper, Women, Poverty, and the Economic Insecurity in Wisconsin and the Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis MSA, will be released at a teleconference on Thursday, April 28 at 2 p.m. C.T./3 p.m. E.T. All members of the press and bloggers are invited call in.

Who:

• Christine Lidbury, Executive Director, Wisconsin Women's Council
• Kelda Roys, Wisconsin State Representative and board member of Wisconsin Women's Council
• Ariane Hegewisch, Study Director, the Institute for Women's Policy Research

When:  Thursday, April 28 at 2 p.m. C.T./ 3 p.m. E.T.

Dial-in Information:  Phone: 1-866-548-4716, Passcode: 465268

The embargoed report will be available Thursday. E-mail dobuzinskis@iwpr.org to receive a copy.

 The Institute for Women's Policy Research (IWPR) conducts rigorous research and disseminates its findings to address the needs of women and their families, promote public dialogue, and strengthen communities and societies. IWPR is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that also works in affiliation with the women's studies and public policy programs at The George Washington University.