The National Council of Women of the US held a meeting in May 1968 to discuss poverty and what could be done to alleviate it. The keynote speaker, Fred Harris , spoke about the need for change and encouraged the attendees to take action. There were various workshops and discussions on topics such as housing, welfare, employment, and education. The participants came away with a resolve to do more to help those in poverty, both in their own communities and on a larger scale.