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Her book, Women and Economics (1898) was hailed as a major accomplishment and was published in several languages. In it, Gilman attacked the old division of social roles, arguing that only economic
independence could bring true freedom for women and make them equal partners to their husbands. She also was a staunch advocate for day-care programs and cooperative kitchens.
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Gilman gained fame with her lectures on women's issues, ethics, labor, and social concerns. She founded, edited and wrote her own monthly journal, Forerunner, from 1909 to 1916. Several of her novels
appeared first in the paper.
In 1932 Charlotte learned that she had incurable breast cancer. As an advocate for the right-to-die, Gilman committed suicide on August 17, 1935 by taking an overdose
of chloroform. She "chose chloroform over cancer" as her autobiography and suicide note stated.
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