With Wicked Part 2 coming out this month, when I spotted this book, I knew I had to feature it in the spotlight! Wicked Witch of the West: The Enduring Legacy of a Feminist Icon. From Baum’s imagination to Broadway’s stage, learn how “Wicked Witch of the West” explores how the infamous Witch of the West from The Wizard of OZ became a mirror for modern feminism.
In this thought-provoking study, Bailey explores how the Wicked Witch of the West has evolved from L. Frank Baum’s 1900 novel into a multifaceted feminist icon whose story continues to resonate. Through literature, film, and cultural analysis, she traces the Witch’s journey from feared outcast to symbol of defiance and empowerment, connecting her evolution to the broader struggles of women reclaiming their voices. More than a cultural history, this is an invitation to reexamine how “wickedness” has so often been the name given to women who refuse submission.
Wicked Witch of the West: The Enduring Legacy of a Feminist Icon
Published: October 2025
Genre: Non-Fiction/ Movie History/ Criticism/Pop Culture/ Literary Criticism
Pages: 224
More than 125 years after her introduction, the Wicked Witch of the West remains an icon of popular culture. Known by many names-from “The Wicked Witch of the West” to Evillene, Elphaba, and Theodora-she consistently defies expectations and wields her power unapologetically. At the heart of her everlasting appeal is her embodiment of feminist ideals that resonate today.
In Wicked Witch of the West: The Enduring Legacy of a Feminist Icon, Lona Bailey explores the radical feministic undertones of one of the most enduring characters in popular culture. Introduced in 1900 through L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the Wicked Witch has captivated generations as both a symbol of fear and empowerment. More than just a villain, she embodies rebellion and resistance, refusing to conform to the roles historically assigned to women. This book traces her transformation over the past century, highlighting how she has evolved through countless adaptations from The Wizard of Oz to the film adaptation of Wicked while maintaining her core identity as a powerful, defiant figure.
To understand why the Witch remains captivating more than a century after her creation, Bailey delves into the radical feminism underlying her character and examines how she has been reinterpreted since her debut. From the suffrage movement to the fight for reproductive rights, and from the #MeToo movement to ongoing battles against gender stereotypes, the Witch symbolizes the struggles and triumphs women face. Her presence transcends mere performance; she serves as a reminder that the fight for justice, equality, and autonomy continues. By exploring the Witch's feminist evolution, readers will gain insight into why her character resonates with generations of women.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Lona Bailey is an award-winning, Amazon-bestselling author and a leading researcher on the Golden Age of Hollywood. Her books include Uncredited: The Life and Career of Actress Virginia Gregg, Voice of Villainy: The Betty Lou Gerson Story, Mrs. Radio: The Cathy Lewis Story, and Some Small Nobility: The Biography of Joan Banks Lovejoy. As a PhD and former therapist, Dr. Bailey is passionate about telling the untold stories of women who perhaps weren’t finished using their own voices during their earthly journeys. Her biographical works offer a balanced perspective on the multidimensional elements involved in feministic legacy maintenance, with particular interest in the preservation efforts surrounding the Golden Age of Hollywood.
Dr. Bailey’s Voice of Villainy biography was a finalist in the 2023 International Book Awards and won the Gold Medal in Dan Poynter’s Global Ebook Awards that same year. She has been featured on The Wolfe Den Show, in Film Daily, and The Los Angeles Tribune.
Dr. Bailey’s most recent books include Lead Thou Me On: Titanic’s Countess of Rothes (Ambassador International) and The Wicked Witch of the West: The Enduring Legacy of a Feminist Icon (Bloomsbury), which Gregory Maguire praises as “a riveting analysis of one of the most fearful and beloved characters in our national psyche.” One of her upcoming books, Wasp Woman: Hollywood’s Susan Cabot (Histria Press, 2026), is the basis for a recently completed docuseries with Embankment Films, set to premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival.
Learn more about Lorna and her books at https://www.lonabaileywrites.com/
Freelance Writer Janny(Jan Marie)C 