Pengarang: Mary Wood-Allen

Mary Wood-Allen, M.D. (1841-1908), was not only a pioneering American writer but also a physician who dedicated much of her work towards educating young women on topics of purity, health, and sexuality during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. As an advocate for women”s chastity and moral upbringing, her writings often reflected Victorian-era sensibilities and were underpinned by a sense of moral responsibility to inform and safeguard the youth. Her notable work “Almost a Woman” specifically addressed the nuances of girlhood and the transition to womanhood, providing guidance framed within the cultural and social context of her time. Wood-Allen”s literary style intertwined didactic narratives with instructional guidelines, often emphasizing the importance of spiritual and physical purity. She was associated with the social purity movement, which was prevalent in that era and left a significant impression through her contributions to parenting and moral education literature. Her advocacy was not confined to her books alone; she served as the National Superintendent of the Purity department of the Woman”s Christian Temperance Union, thereby extending her influence beyond the printed page to active social engagement in matters of public health and morality.