Tillie Lerner Olsen

I really enjoyed reading about Tillie Olsen and her story, “I Stand Here Ironing.” As a mother, I found the story very moving. It really relates the struggles and uncertainty that many working mothers often feel. These hardships are even more difficult for poor, single mothers like the one in this story. Emily’s mother obviously loved her. But, she was forced to make decisions that weren’t the best for her child out of necessity to survive. Now, years later she reflects on her shortcomings and wonders if her daughter will be alright. She also ponders if there is even anything she can do to help her daughter now. She contemplates all of these difficulties while she finishes her housework and cares for her youngest child.

I imagine that Tillie Olsen must have borrowed some of these experiences from her own life. According to her biography she also struggled to maintain that delicate balance between working and being a mother. Tillie is credited for highlighting issues faced by women and people in poverty through her stories and activism. “Throughout the years of child rearing and maintaining a family with few resources while working on "everyday jobs" Tillie organized in her neighborhoods for parks and playgrounds, was a founder of the city's first Parent Cooperative Nursery school, fought for quality child care programs, became a leader in the PTA, served as director of the California CIO War Relief and President of the Women's Auxiliary of the CIO during the second world war.” (http://www.tillieolsen.net/obituary.php). I really admire all she was able to accomplish.