Modern Mothers in Heartland: Gender, Health, and Progress in Illinois

Focusing on the Midwest during the early twentieth century, this study examines the interplay between social welfare campaigns and health improvements, particularly in maternal and child health. Illinois, with its high infant and maternal mortality rates, serves as a critical case study. The author, Lynne Curry, utilizes local and state sources to reveal how policymakers, health service clients, practitioners, and volunteers collaboratively shaped health reform outcomes. By contextualizing these movements within Illinois's unique social, economic, and political landscape, the book offers a nuanced understanding of the era's child welfare initiatives.