SEVEN FOR THE PEOPLE: Public Interest Groups at Work

by Zena Collier ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 16, 1979

From the ACLU to the Sierra Club, Collier's public interest organizations have a mature, white-collar image. NOW and the groups formed by Ralph Nader (a chapter, and an institution, in himself) are the noisiest of the lot (though she doesn't so portray them); as for the others, Collier notes that Common Cause focuses mainly on procedural, rather than substantive, issues; and she acknowledges that the National Urban League's old ways were clearly out of step with Sixties activism and that the League of Women Voters is suffering from the success of women's lib and unhappy that its membership is still predominantly white, middle class, and middle-aged. The League's problems in attracting younger members might well be Collier's problems too, especially where she goes into the procedures and structure of each organization. One does come away from this with an impression of good people working for good causes, and Collier includes brisk pages on the specific cases and accomplishments of each group. For anyone seeking information on how any or all of the groups work and what they do, her own organization and style are businesslike and concise, if unexciting.

Pub Date: April 16, 1979

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Messner

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1979

Categories: NONFICTION