She graduated from Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois, and then joined the Peace Corps.

[2] After her time in the Peace Corps, she worked as a reporter at The Washington Monthly[1] and The Philadelphia Inquirer (from 1969 to 1973).

The book was made into a movie and a TV series[3] starring Michael Learned, which won an Emmy award.

[3] The nurse, nicknamed "Mary Benjamin" in the book, at the time insisted on her anonymity, and "steadfastly protected her identity".

[3] Anderson's 1972 book The Daughters "was a critical success and financial flop", providing her only a $2,500 advance.