Our Sisters’ Keepers

Jill Bergman is Associate Professor of English at the University of Montana. Debra Bernardi is Associate Professor of English at Carroll College.

As the editors of "Our Sisters' Keepers argue, the vulnerable marginal positions occupied by many women in the 19th century fostered an empathetic sensitivity in them to the plight of the poor, and their ability to act and write in advocacy of the impoverished offered a form of empowerment not otherwise available to them. "A lively collection that offers a fresh and varied look at the theme of poverty and benevolence in the work of 19th-century American women writers, uncovering texts that have, for the most part, received little critical attention in this context. "Our Sisters' Keepers contributes significantly to our understanding of how American women redefined the concept of American identity through the genre of 'benevolence' or reform literature."--Leah Blatt Glasser, author of "In a Closet Hidden: The Life and Work of Mary E. Wilkins Freeman Jill Bergman is Associate Professor of English at the University of Montana. Debra Bernardi is Associate Professor of English at Carroll College. With Contributions By: Sarah E. Chinn, Monika Elbert, Lori Merish, Terry D. Novak, James Salazar, Mary Templin, Karen Tracey, and Whitney A. Womack