Women and welfare work, 1893-1993

" New Zealand women have always engaged in welfare work, caring for their own welfare, their families and their communities, usually without pay. Such work has generally been taken for granted, as being part of a woman's role. Over the past 100 years many women have extended or stepped outside that role to undertake welfare work in more public spheres. This booklet profiles 14 such women. In many cases the women's welfare activity was not confined to one issue, and it is often difficult to define where "welfare work" stops and other activities begin. Health, education, housing, criminal justice, civil rights and economic issues all affect and are affected by welfare concerns. The 14 women include social and community workers, activists and organisers. Some, such as Grace Neill and Kay Ford, made careers in the welfare sectors of the public service. Others worked within church groups or women's organisations ..." -- Introduction.… (more)