Empowered Voices: The Legacy of Welfare Activism

This chapter reflects on Johnny Tillman's 1972 article 'Welfare is a Women's Issue' and its profound impact on Gwendolyn Fowler, who delves into the ongoing struggles of women on welfare. It chronicles Fowler's journey from a sharecropper's daughter to an activist fighting against societal stigma and discrimination, culminating in the formation of early welfare rights organizations. Expanding on the historical context, the chapter discusses the evolution of the welfare system, racial biases, and the challenging perceptions that Black mothers have navigated in their pursuit of dignity and support.