On Wednesday, March 24, Michigan State University's Institute for Public Policy and Social Research (IPPSR) and Center for Gender in Global Context (GenCen) will host "Michigan's Economic Turnaround: A Look at Women and Families." The forum will begin at 11:30 am in the Mackinac Room of the Anderson House Office Building at 124 N. Capitol Ave. in Lansing.

National attention has been given to the challenges the Michigan economy has faced during the global financial crisis. Lost in the discussion are the effects on women and families. The March IPPSR policy forum will look at these populations and how they have been impacted by Michigan’s economic decline, examine recent gains for women breadwinners and evaluate innovative public policy proposals that help families endure financial hard times.

Featured speakers are: Jason Palmer, an economist with the State Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth, who will discuss where women in Michigan stand compared to women in neighboring states and Louise Jezierski, an associate professor with MSU's James Madison College, who will present a talk titled "Women in Economic Freefall." Other speakers include: Paulette Granberry Russell, director of MSU's Office of Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives, who will speak to "Turning the Tables on Statistics and Stereotypes"; and Donna Addkison, director of the Family Economic Self-Sufficiency Project at Wider Opportunities for Women in Washington, DC, whose presentation is titled "Women and Family Economic Security."

The forum will be followed by a panel discussion moderated by MSU faculty members Lisa Fine, professor of history and GenCen co-director, and Colletta Moser, professor of agricultural, food and resource economics and MSU Extension.

The event is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required. Please call 517-355-6672 or ippsr-action@ssc.msu.edu">email ippsr-action to reserve your space. A light lunch will be provided.