Malvina Reynolds (born Malvina Milder in 1900) was already a sexagenarian with a doctorate in English when she became known for writing socially conscious folk songs that were popularized by Pete Seeger (“Little Boxes,” one of his signature songs), the Searchers, and Joan Baez (“What Have They Done to the Rain”), among others. Over the years, she recorded several albums of her own as well. With her light-hearted approach and grandmotherly vocal style, Reynolds made a natural crossover into children’s music, where she found further success, including composing for and appearing on TV’s SESAME STREET. Reynolds passed away in 1978.