The Iron Woman is a novel of manners by the American writer Margaret Deland, set in the 19th century fictional locale of Mercer, an Ohio River community representing Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Her devotion to a Puritanical work ethic alienates her son Blair, who though he stands to inherit the business, is headstrong and in love with Elizabeth Ferguson, a match Mrs. Maitland disapproves of.

[1] The story opens when her adopted son David is ten years old and she is living with him in the manufacturing town of Mercer, situated but a short distance from Old Chester.

David has three playmates of his own age: Elizabeth Ferguson, a fascinating and passionate child, who lives with her bachelor uncle, and Blair and Nannie Maitland, whose mother is known as the "Iron Woman".

David, who has continued to love Elizabeth passionately, urges her to flee with him, and she is ready to do so when Helena Ritchie appears upon the scene and prevents the action by confessing to them her own experience.