2015 marked the 50th anniversary of the Moynihan report that began an era of victim-blaming narratives and racist legislation that lives to this day against Black women and mothers living in poverty.

The ‘welfare queen’ stereotype is a complete fallacy: Since 1974, single motherhood has increased, but welfare benefits have declined.

Single mothers in the U.S. have the highest poverty rates in comparison to those in all industrialized countries.

The First Amendment Defense Act has been used to deny employed mothers family leave and even fire teachers who become pregnant while single.

Known as the “Scarlet Letter Law”, Florida Governor Jeb Bush passed a bill in 2001 that forced single mothers, including those under 18 and rape survivors, to publish their sexual histories in a newspaper if they didn’t know the identity of the father.

When it comes to white women, the single mother narrative is becoming increasingly positive. But increased acceptance, understanding, and support has yet to be extended to single Black mothers. In discussions on closing the racial opportunity gap, blaming systemic inequities on absent fathers and the inadequacies of present mothers continues to be deemed an acceptable viewpoint across the political spectrum. This must change!