Ladies Must Live (ePub)

Alice Duer Miller (1874-1942) was a distinguished American writer and poet, known for her sharp wit and insightful commentary on women's issues. Born in New York City to a well-to-do family, Miller pursued education with a passion, attending Barnard College where she studied mathematics and astronomy. She transitioned into writing when she found she could use the medium to address the social concerns of her time, particularly women's rights. Miller's literary career was a prolific one, and she was respected for both her fiction and non-fiction work, the latter often appearing in popular magazines of the day like 'Harper's Weekly.' One of her notable novels, 'Ladies Must Live' (1917), echoes her predilection for tackling gender norms and the struggles faced by contemporary women. Drawing on her experiences in a male-dominated society, Miller's works often skewer societal expectations with humor and irony. Her style is marked by a blend of satire and earnestness, making her a significant contributor to the literary conversation about feminism in the early 20th century. While less known today, Miller's writings influenced attitudes about women and played a role in the suffrage movement. Her verses for the suffragette cause, compiled in 'Are Women People?' (1915), remain a poignant reminder of her literary activism.