Olive Higgins Prouty

Olive Higgins Prouty (1882–1974) was an influential American novelist and poet best known for her works exploring complex emotional and social issues. Born in Worcester, Massachusetts, Prouty attended Smith College, which inspired her to write with empathy and insight about women's experiences. Her most famous novel, "Now, Voyager" (1941), tells the story of a woman's transformative journey towards self-discovery and independence, later adapted into a successful film. Prouty also authored "Stella Dallas" (1923), a poignant exploration of motherhood and sacrifice. Besides writing, she was a notable philanthropist, supporting mental health causes and the literary education of promising young writers like Sylvia Plath.