Who was Charlotte Perkins Gilman and why is she important?
I was introduced to Gilman in college as part of my American Literature class. Professor Joslin was an expert on Edith Wharton and writing a book on her at the time I took her class. Her niche was turn of the century American lit and she brought a feminist perspective to everything she taught. Before college I had been spoonfed a dose of white male writers, writing from their perspectives. It was mind opening to read a woman’s point of view. I remember reading The Yellow Wallpaper and just being flabbergasted that women would allow men to force them into a situation like that. I was pretty naive about the world at the time having not supported myself yet; or having an understanding of what being a wife and mother would demand from me. Now, twenty years later I have a different reaction to her story. I’m so grateful to have had Professor Joslin in my life. For all you teachers out there…thank you for doing what you do. Charlotte Perkins Gilman was born in 1860 and raised by her mother
