Wicked Witch of the West The Enduring Legacy of a Feminist Icon

Stories have the power to reshape how we see women—and sometimes, how women see themselves.

THE WICKED WITCH OF THE WEST: THE ENDURING LEGACY OF A FEMINIST ICON by Dr. Lona Bailey reclaims one of fiction’s most maligned women and reframes her as a lasting symbol of strength, rebellion, and autonomy. Bailey explores how the Wicked Witch has evolved across more than a century of literature, film, and feminist thought, transforming from an emblem of fear into a figure of power and liberation. With a mix of historical insight and cultural analysis, she examines how each new version—from Baum’s original creation to the reimagined Wicked—reflects society’s shifting comfort with women who own their voices. The result is a portrait of a character who, in refusing to conform, became timeless.

Dr. Lona Bailey is an award-winning author and Golden Age of Hollywood historian whose works—including Voice of Villainy and The Wasp Woman—shine light on the overlooked women who helped shape film and culture. Her writing merges academic precision with empathy, celebrating women’s resilience and artistry. Learn more at www.lonabaileywrites.com.

#WickedWitchOfTheWest #FeministIcon #LonaBailey #WomenInHistory #PopCultureReads #Bookstagram #NonfictionReads @therealbookgal

4 stars

This was such an insightful and amazing read. I had knowledge of some facts, like that the copper in the ink that covered the actress was poisonous, but I had no idea they didn't let her take the makeup, and the director insisted that she did a fire scene without instructions, which resulted in burns of severe degree... and no one checked out how she was doing at the hospital. It infuriates us how human beings thought these were "normal" procedures. Even today, I was told that "it's normal" I should get over it. No...

I will continue to recommend this book. We get access to information and facts not only of their lives as mothers, single mom (daily life), but also as actresses. There are aspects of the writing style I don't care for, maybe because I don't quite understand TikTok generation, but I focused on what enriched me.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4nHUMH4

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/233812615-wicked-witch-of-the-west

She wasn’t born wicked—she was made that way. Discover the feminist evolution of Oz’s most misunderstood woman. #WickedWitchOfTheWest #FeministIcon #LonaBailey #BookFeature #WomenInHistory #EmpoweredWomen

Writing Process & Creativity

How did you research your book?

I dove deep into everything from MGM archives to feminist theory journals, historical folklore books, and even old fan magazines. I wanted to understand not just the Wicked Witch herself but how audiences across decades have reacted to her and why. It was part film history, part cultural detective work and I loved every minute of it!

What’s the hardest scene or character you wrote—and why?

Honestly, there really weren’t many, if any, “hard” parts to write for this book—it was fun and engaging from start to finish. Every chapter felt like uncovering a new layer of the Witch’s legacy, and the deeper I went, the more fascinating she became. It was one of those rare projects that energized me instead of exhausting me.

Where do you get your ideas?

Usually from questions or topics of intrigue that just won’t leave me alone. With this book, it started with, “Why do we still fear the Witch, but secretly root for her too?” That curiosity turned into a full-blown exploration of power, femininity, and legacy and what perfect timing with the film adaptations of Wicked!

What sets your book apart from others in your genre?

I think this is one of the first books about the Wicked Witch herself not just in the context of film history, but in a broader cultural conversation. I have tried to blend Hollywood storytelling with feminist analysis, so readers get equal parts behind-the-scenes entertainment lore and what-does-this-say-about-me insight.

What helps you overcome writer’s block?

When writer’s block hits, I get up and move—I take a walk or slip into a good young adult fiction I enjoyed when I was younger (I’m a huge Nancy Drew fan!). Something about the rhythm of walking or the familiar creative tangles of a Nancy Drew or Goosebumps story helps the next line find me instead of the other way around.

What’s your favorite compliment you’ve received as a writer?

Several people over the years have told me after reading a biography I wrote of their loved one— someone I never had the chance to meet in life – that it felt as though I had known them personally. That’s one of the greatest compliments I could ever receive as a researcher and writer. It tells me my research was thorough, my interpretation true to the person, and that I succeeded in bringing their spirit to life on the page.

Your Writing Life

Do you write every day? What’s your schedule?

Like many writers, I usually write something every day, even if it’s just a few paragraphs or some notes. I’m most creative in the mornings, so I like to get my coffee, open my laptop, and dive right in when I can. Some days it’s research, other days it’s full-on storytelling, but luckily I enjoy both.

Where do you write—home, coffee shop, train?

Mostly in my home office—it’s my creative haven. I’ve built a cozy writing space that feels both peaceful and inspiring, filled with books and old Hollywood memorabilia that keep me grounded in the era I often write about.

Any quirky writing rituals or must-have snacks?

I always have my furry sidekick, Penny the morkiepoo, curled up on my desk as my “lucky Penny.” She’s my little muse. I also choose a new candle for each book I write—a scent and name that somehow connect to the story at hand—and I burn it every time I work on that project. It’s my way of setting the mood and signaling to my brain, it’s time to write.

Behind the Book

Why did you choose this setting/topic?

I’ve always been fascinated by Margaret Hamilton’s portrayal of the Wicked Witch, and it occurred to me a couple of years ago that she did not have a full-length biography. After some preliminary research, I realized the potential for combining a bit of Hamilton’s story into the larger story of the Wicked Witch. The Wicked Witch of the West is so much more than a villainess—she’s a mirror of how women’s power and independence have been viewed through time, which are always topics of importance. Writing this book gave me the chance to explore her evolution from fearsome figure to feminist icon and the timing of the Wicked films was “spookily” perfect.

If your book became a movie, who would star in it?

Though nonfiction academically postured books are sometimes harder to adapt to film, if it were to happen I would love to see someone like Sigourney Weaver or Anjelica Huston bring the Witch’s complexity to life—they both have that rare ability to blend elegance, strength, and mystery. Of course, a musical cameo by Kristin Chenoweth or Cynthia Erivo would be the perfect nod to the Witch’s modern legacy!

Which author(s) most inspired you?

I’ve always loved classic literature—there’s something timeless about the way those writers captured human complexity. Faulkner and Tennessee Williams are two of my favorites for their depth and southern sensibility, but I also adore Kate Chopin and Shirley Jackson for the way they explored women’s inner lives with such courage and nuance. Their influence definitely weaves its way into how I approach character and theme in my own writing.

Fun & Lighthearted Qs

What’s your go-to comfort food?

Coffee. Does a drink count?

What are you binge-watching right now?

Judge Judy. It’s been my go-to comfort show for decades!

If you could time-travel, where would you go?

I’d go straight to 1940s Hollywood to see the Golden Age in full swing with the studio sets, radio broadcasts, and all that behind-the-scenes glamour I’m always writing about. I would also sit outside Clark Gable’s dressing room for as long as it took to meet him!

What 3 books would you bring to a desert island?

The Bible, The Great Gatsby, and A Light in August.

What’s something that made you laugh this week?

I’m a big vaudeville fan, so I always laugh when I catch glimpses of that kind of comedy in everyday life. The other day, I looked out my home office window and saw a rather small pickup truck slowly rolling down the road with a huge pile of mismatched chairs rounded over to the sky in the back. Miraculously, nothing fell off, but the whole scene looked like something out of a Three Stooges episode, and I couldn’t help but laugh while I took a picture of it.