Gina Luttrell

When we think of The Wizard of Oz, our minds often conjure emerald cities, ruby slippers, and the dichotomy of good witches and bad witches. And that’s all true. But it seems that behind the magic in this infamous tale lies the influence of a suffragist who dared to defy her time. And that my friends is none other than Matilda Joslyn Gage: the radical feminist, abolitionist, and Native American rights advocate who inspired her son-in-law portrayal of witches in the book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

When I read a post from theSkimm on Instagram I was both surprised and delighted by this new found bit of information. As someone who has long been connected to the suffragist movement and its trailblazing leaders, I thought I knew most of their stories—but I was surprised to learn that the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz was inspired by the radical suffragist Matilda Joslyn Gage. Now, I live a stones throw from Chittenango where L. Frank Baum penned the famous tale. In my childhood I even went to the summer festival and walked on the original yellow brick road. So, I had to do a little research since I was so fascinated by this connection.

I will say before I get into my post, Ms. and The New York Historical have great articles on this connections that provide fascinating insights into how Gage’s progressive feminism influenced The Wizard of Oz and ultimately its portrayal of witches.

Who Was Matilda Joslyn Gage?

Born in 1826, Gage was a force to be reckoned with in the women’s suffrage movement. Alongside Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, she co-founded the National Woman Suffrage Association in 1869. However, her uncompromising views on issues like the intersection of women’s rights, race, and religion often alienated her from her peers. While Anthony and Stanton focused on the vote, Gage demanded something more: a complete upheaval of the patriarchal systems that kept women—and marginalized communities—oppressed.

Gage’s advocacy wasn’t limited to women’s suffrage. She championed the rights of Black and Indigenous people and fiercely criticized organized religion for perpetuating gender inequality. Her book, Woman, Church, and State (1893), was so provocative that she was largely written out of mainstream feminist history, but her radical legacy endures.

The Feminist Connection to Oz

Gage’s influence extended beyond the suffrage movement and into popular culture—specifically, into the imagination of her son-in-law, L. Frank Baum. Baum married Gage’s daughter, Maud, in 1882, and Matilda quickly became a mentor to the young author. Through her intellectual guidance, Baum developed a feminist lens that would shape his most famous work, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900).

In Baum’s Oz, witches were not mere caricatures of evil but powerful, multi-dimensional figures. The Wicked Witch of the West, for example, represents societal oppression and the vilification of strong, independent women—much like Gage herself, who was often labeled “too radical” even by her fellow suffragists. Meanwhile, Glinda the Good Witch embodies empowerment and the potential for women to lead with kindness and wisdom. This nuanced representation reflects Baum’s intent to move beyond simplistic good-versus-evil archetypes, offering readers a richer understanding of his characters.

Reimagining Witches: A Feminist Lens

Before Baum’s book, witches in Western folklore were typically painted as malevolent crones. Baum’s reimagining was revolutionary: witches in Oz are symbols of both oppression and resilience. This nuanced portrayal echoes Gage’s philosophy, which celebrated matriarchal leadership and rejected simplistic, binary labels of “good” and “evil.”

Gage’s advocacy for Indigenous rights also plays into Baum’s world-building. She admired the matrilineal societies of Native American tribes, where women held positions of power and respect—an ethos reflected in Oz’s female-led governance.

The Legacy of Matilda Joslyn Gage

Matilda Joslyn Gage was, as Gloria Steinem aptly described, “the woman who was ahead of the women who were ahead of their time.” Her progressive ideas not only influenced the suffrage movement but also found their way into the cultural fabric of Baum’s enduring tale.

It seems to me that by celebrating the witches of Oz, we honor Gage’s legacy as a visionary who challenged societal norms and fought for a more equitable world. The Wicked Witch of the West may be remembered as a villain, but in many ways, she symbolizes the plight of women like Gage—misunderstood, demonized, and ultimately, powerful.

Holding Space for the Feminist of Oz

As we revisit The Wizard of Oz in books, film, and theater, I think it’s time we hold space for Matilda Joslyn Gage—the suffragist, abolitionist, and revolutionary thinker who inspired its feminist undercurrents. For me, learning about Gage’s story reminds me that behind every great tale lies the influence of bold individuals who dare to imagine a better world.

So, as you head to the theaters to see Wicked, remember: the witches of Oz are not just characters—they’re a tribute to the feminist who helped inspire them. Matilda Joslyn Gage may not have worn ruby slippers, but her steps paved the way for generations of women to follow.