Perceptions of Poverty: A Conversation with Stephanie Land as Reported in Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity

Stephanie Land’s “Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive,” tells the story of her struggles to support her daughter while working as a maid and the glimpse that her profession gave her into the lives of the upper class. The book has generated significant praise and attention, including a spot on the New York Times bestseller list, since its publication in January. Spotlight spoke with Land about the book and the importance of humanizing poverty. The conversation about her book and experience, which gives a real life view of poverty in the USA in 2019, been lightly edited for length and clarity. Read the conversation here: