Born: 1879 (Corning, New York)
Died: 1966
Biography:
Margaret Higgins Sanger, later known as Margaret Sanger Slee, was born on September 14, 1879, in Corning, New York. She grew up in a large, Catholic family and her childhood experiences greatly influenced her later work as a birth control activist and women’s rights advocate. Her mother, Anne Higgins, was a devout Catholic who had 18 pregnancies in 22 years, with 11 children surviving to adulthood. Sanger’s mother’s frequent pregnancies and the hardships they brought upon the family made a lasting impression on her.
Sanger attended Claverack College and Hudson River Institute, where she became interested in social reform and women’s rights. After completing her education, she worked as a nurse in New York City’s East Side slums, where she witnessed the devastating impact of unwanted pregnancies and the limited options available to women. These experiences fueled her commitment to improving women’s health and empowering them to make informed decisions about their reproductive lives.
In 1902, Margaret married William Sanger, an architect, and they had three children together. Over time, Sanger became increasingly frustrated by the lack of support for women’s reproductive health and the restrictive laws that prohibited the dissemination of information about contraception. In 1912, she started writing a column called What Every Girl Should Know for the New York Call, a socialist newspaper. In her column, she discussed topics that were considered taboo at the time, such as venereal disease and contraception.
Sanger’s writings and speeches attracted the attention of feminists and social reformers, and she soon became a leading figure in the birth control movement. In 1914, she published a pamphlet called Family Limitation, which provided information on contraception methods. However, her advocacy for birth control put her at odds with the law. Under the Comstock Act, it was illegal to distribute information about contraception. Sanger was prosecuted and faced the possibility of imprisonment. Fearing the consequences, she fled to Britain until public opinion had quieted.
Sanger’s efforts to promote birth control and women’s reproductive health had a significant impact on society. She influenced several judicial cases that helped legalize contraception in the United States. In 1916, she opened the first birth control clinic in the U.S. in Brooklyn, New York. However, the clinic was raided by the police, and Sanger was arrested for distributing information on contraception. Her subsequent trial and appeal generated controversy and brought attention to the issue of women’s reproductive rights.
Despite facing opposition and legal challenges, Sanger continued her advocacy work. In 1921, she founded the American Birth Control League, which later became the Planned Parenthood Federation of America. She organized the first birth control clinic in New York City staffed by all-female doctors, as well as a clinic in Harlem with an all African-American advisory council. Sanger recognized the importance of providing reproductive health services to marginalized communities.
In 1929, Sanger formed the National Committee on Federal Legislation for Birth Control, which became the focal point of her lobbying efforts to legalize contraception in the United States. Her dedication and persistence paid off when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the birth control pill in 1960, a breakthrough moment for women’s reproductive rights.
Throughout her career, Sanger faced criticism from opponents of abortion due to her connection with Planned Parenthood. However, she made a clear distinction between birth control and abortion, and in her role as a nurse, she refused to participate in abortions. Sanger believed that contraception was the only practical way to prevent unwanted pregnancies and the need for abortions. She dedicated her life to empowering women and providing them with the knowledge and tools to control their reproductive lives.
Margaret Sanger’s contributions to the reproductive rights movement are widely recognized and admired. She played a pivotal role in the fight for women’s rights and equality, and her efforts continue to shape the discourse around reproductive health and family planning. Sanger’s legacy lives on through the work of organizations like Planned Parenthood, which provide vital reproductive health services and education to women around the world.
Awards:
– In 1955, Margaret Sanger received the Planned Parenthood Federation of America’s highest honor, the Margaret Sanger Award. This award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the field of reproductive health and family planning.
– In 1966, just days before her death, Sanger was awarded the Humanist of the Year by the American Humanist Association. This award acknowledged her tireless advocacy for women’s reproductive rights and her commitment to humanism.
– In 1966, Sanger was posthumously inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame, recognizing her significant contributions to women’s rights and reproductive health.
– In 1973, Sanger was named one of the 100 most important women of the 20th century by Time magazine, highlighting her influential role in advancing women’s reproductive rights.