What were “Tillie Olsen’s Reading Lists”?

“Tillie Olsen’s Reading Lists” were a collection of recommendations curated by the American author and activist Tillie Olsen that highlighted the works of long-neglected or "lost" women writers.1

These lists were published in the Women’s Studies Newsletter between 1972 and 1973. Olsen’s dedication to uncovering and promoting these forgotten authors was a significant factor in the founding of the Feminist Press in 1970. Her efforts not only helped bring historical women writers back into the literary canon but also served as the inspiration for the press's influential reprint series, which played a vital role in the development of women’s studies programs in the United States.12