I Stand Here Ironing

Summary “It was the pre-relief, pre-WPA world of the depression”. The story begins with a mother ironing. Her daughter, Emily, is said to need help but her mom doesn’t believe she needs any, questioning “Who needs help”. The mother “worked or looked for work”, leaving her eight month old daughter with a woman whom “was…

“I Stand Here Ironing” was written in 1961 about the issues women sometimes, face such as poverty and motherhood. Tillie Olsen was known for her political views in the 1930s. She was part of the first generation of feminists. Born in Wahoo, Nebraska, many of Tillie Olsen’s works were a voice of the struggles of…