Today in Mighty Girl history, we celebrate the 180th birthday of esteemed American author Louisa May Alcott. Born into a childhood of financial poverty, but to a family rich in ideas and connections, Ms. Alcott came to find recognition and independence within her lifetime.
A talent for writing led to her fame, most notably for the book “Little Women,” published in 1868. Set during the Civil War era, the book is a semi-autobiographical tale of the life she shared with her three sisters. The main character, Jo March, was based off of Louisa herself, and challenged the norms with her defiant, opinionated nature.
Indeed, Alcott believed strongly in abolitionist and suffrage causes. She was actively involved in both movements, and was the first woman to register to vote in her hometown of Concord, Massachusetts. Ms. Alcott believed in equality for all, and firmly rejected the concept of so-called women’s work.
“I like to help women help themselves, as that is, in my opinion, the best way to settle the woman question. Whatever we can do and do well we have a right to, and I don't think anyone will deny us.”
To learn more about Alcott’s most famous work, “Little Women,” visit http://
A Mighty Girl also features several related items, such as the 1994 film version of "Little Women" starring Winona Ryder as Jo March (http://
To learn more about famous women writers, visit our “Writers/Poets” section within “Biographies” at http://
