Culture

illustration of two hands holding a copy of the book The Let Them Theory
Illustration by The Atlantic. Source: Stefanie Keenan / Getty.

Where Did ‘Let Them’ Come From?

Years before Mel Robbins published her best-selling self-help book, a struggling writer posted a poem with a similar message.

Archival poster from the 'Wages for Housework' campaign, depicting an illustration of Lady Liberty holding a broom in her left hand, cash in her right. Below, she has one foot set on a stack of dishes, while three children pull at her dress.
Illustration by The Atlantic. Sources: Jacquie Ursula Caldwell / Library of Congress; Getty.

The World That ‘Wages for Housework’ Wanted

The 1970s campaign fought to get women paid for their work in the home—and envisioned a society built to better support motherhood.