This collection investigates the literary output and cultural significance of black women writers in the early twentieth century through the lens of major periodical publications. Elizabeth Ammons, a scholar of American literature, curates this volume to highlight the specific role of magazines like The Colored American Magazine and The Crisis. By analyzing these texts, she argues that these periodicals served as the primary secular platforms for black women to establish their voices and explore complex social themes during a period of significant racial and gender transition in the United States.

Scholars and historians frequently cite this volume as a foundational resource for understanding the development of African American literary traditions. The collection is highly regarded for its archival value in preserving voices that were previously marginalized in mainstream literary history.