Prominent Women in American Literature

By Saron Hatsey

American literature is an impactful genre inspiring writers around the world. From fiction to philosophy, many people naming the American greats in this field turn to male authors like Mark Twain or Ernest Hemingway. However, female writers have played an equally vital role in shaping the nation's literary landscape. From the colonial era to today, women in American literature have challenged social norms, introduced groundbreaking narratives, and influenced cultural change.

The Colonial Era

  The first woman to be published in the American colony was Anne Bradstreet, who had her poetry book, “The Tenth Muse”, published in 1612- just 5 years after Jamestown was founded. Despite being wealthy, white, and protestant, she still faced backlash for being educated and engaging in writing, a traditionally masculine pursuit at the time. 

In 1773, Phillis Wheatly became the first black woman to publish a piece of literature in America. Enslaved as a child, she was educated by the people who enslaved her after they noticed her remarkable intelligence. A few years after being freed in 1761, she published her book “Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral”, which helped grow the abolitionist cause and was a significant marker of American and African American literature. 

The 19th and Early 20th Century

The 19th century marked the beginning of the industrial area and a boom in female literature. Most notably, feminist literature emerged in the 19th century. Demanding more rights and to change the societal landscape for women in America, feminist writers like Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Margaret Fuller challenged social norms and pioneered the feminist movement in America. The earlier white, middle class pioneers for the movement were mainly focused on women's suffrage. Some of the most notable novels from this time include “The Awakening” by Kate Chopin, discussing women's independence and sexual freedom and “History of Women's Suffrage” by Susan B Anthody and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, a key piece of American Literature documenting the women's suffrage movement. Their work was a key part of the ratification of the 19th amendment, granting women the right to vote in 1920.

African American women, despite the barriers, continued to make impactful biographies that became key parts of the abolitionist movement. Harriet Jacobs published her powerful “Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl”, depciting her time as a slave and the sexual abuse she faced. Ida B. Wells, a journalist and sociologist, posted many articles and stories depicting the horrors of lynching in the United States. She also fought for gender equality, making her one of the most monumental journalists in American history. Additionally, Hannah Crafts published “The Bondwoman's Narrative” sometime in the mid 19th century, detailing her escape and time as a fugitive slave. The manuscript of the novel was discovered in 2002 and remains to be a key part of scholarly research.

Mid-Late 20th Century 

The Mid-Late 20th century is when we begin to see some of the greatest classical fiction novels in American history. Harper Lee published the monumental “To Kill a Mockingbird” in 1960, exploring themes of racism and injustice in the American south. Feminist literature continued in this era, with some of the most impactful novels coming from Sylvia Plath. Her book “The Bell Jar”, is an impactful story with themes of mental illness, gender roles, and societal pressures. Moreover, Toni Cade Bambara’s “Gorilla, My Love”, written in 1972, explored themes of identity within the black community. Inspired by women of the past like Ida B Wells, Bambara brings an authentic look at young African American voices and activism in a captivating way.

Two other novels that explore themes of race, gender, and identity are “The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison (1970) and “The Color Purple” by Alice Walker (1982). While they are 2 separate stories with different themes, they both explore ideas of black empowerment, identity and history. Despite the important messages and stories, the rise of conservatism in the United States in the late 20th century led to these books being banned in numerous schools. In fact, these novels continue to face censorship attempts today.

Lastly, one of the most world-renowned writers came out of this era. Maya Angelou, an American writer, poet, and activist, published her first novel in 1969, titled “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”. The novel explored her childhood trauma and her experiences with racism and self discovery. Inspired by artists like William Shakespeare, Zora Neal Hurston, and Edgar Allen Poe, her poems and essays resonated with people of all races and genders. Later working with civil rights activists like Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X., her impact on not only American literature but American society as a whole. 

21st Century Writers

The 21st century marked the beginning of numerous women-led franchise giants. Suzanne Collins’ “The Hunger Games” can be crowned the defining YA dystopian franchise series of the century, a genre that previously had been overwhelmingly male dominated. Other American women who've created popular works of fantasy include Marissa Meyer (The Lunar Chronicles), Leigh Bardugo (Six of Crows), and Stephanie Meyer (The Twilight Saga).

Additionally, we begin to see non-white works of fiction that interpret perspectives and stories from around the world. R.F Kuangs “The Poppy War” is a fantastical interpretation of the second Sino-Japanese war that covers heavy topics like wartime rape and murder. A gripping novel that exposes the horrors of war while weaving in themes of power, survival, and the moral ambiguities of vengeance, making it both a harrowing and thought-provoking read. 

Women of all races and identities can be seen throughout journalism and activism as well. According to the american journalist association, nearly 41% of journalists are women compared to 13% of journalists who were women in 1980.

  The feminist movement still holds alive and well here in the states. The Pew Research Center reports that 61% of women identify with the term ‘feminist’. Despite the numerous efforts to demean the term and the movement, the impact of early American feminists can be seen today.

American literature has shifted dramatically from the colonial era. Powerful female writers have shaped fiction and nonfiction alike and have shaped American culture to what it is today. While the landscape for female authors in America today is better than it ever has been, many from the past have yet to gain recognition for their work. In fact many novels (like the Bluest Eye) are banned in many schools. Despite this, works of literature written by women continue to challenge, inspire, and redefine what it means to be American.