It’s a very recognizable photo (hence iconic). Many people understood the poignant juxtaposition of the similarities between a poor 1930’s mother and a 2017 mother. The woman in the photo had sold her tires to pay for food. A modern mother who lives in poverty will have to decide what to sell to pay for health insurance.
It’s even more ironic since Lange’s photos at the time helped usher in social changes to help the poor get out of their situation and not fall back. Yet here we are nearly 100 years later with similar struggles. Except now people are fighting to ensure she stays poor and falls further into poverty.