Doing It All

A feminist exploration of single motherhood and a passionate call to reclaim the power of mothering.

'A brilliant book, fearlessly told.' Elinor Cleghorn, author of UNWELL WOMEN

'Lucid and liberating.' Eliane Glaser, author of MOTHERHOOD: A MANIFESTO

Nearly a quarter of UK families with dependent children are single-parent families, and around 90% of single parents are women. Yet the single mother is still cast as victim or welfare queen, sexually irresponsible or too independent by half.

Tracing a history through Victorian brothels, welfare rights activism and Black feminist traditions of othermothering, Ruby Russell tells a different story: of motherhood defined not by marriage or men, but as a nexus of solidarity beyond the patriarchal status quo.

A personal quest for empowerment, Doing It All is also a fierce critique of the structures that leave single mums marginalised and exhausted - and a call to reclaim mothering as the life force of sustainable, connected and radically responsible communities.  

'Deftly marrying history with her own story, Russell gives us a vision of single mothers as avatars of a better world. It is a world we can all embrace, and all aspire to.' Kirsten Swinth, author of FEMINISM'S FORGOTTEN FIGHT

'Mightily encourages dreams of a society where mothering is the most important activity of all.' Irish Sunday Independent