Who Was Margaret Sanger?
Women have fought to maintain power over their fertility, as a result of men attempting to dictate the decisions made around women’s reproductive health throughout history. Advancements in science, as well as shifts in societal perceptions of women, have contributed to the expanding knowledge and stronger fight for protection of women’s reproductive rights, which includes the introduction of birth control. A major figure behind the Birth Control Movement, that began in 1914 in the United States, was Margaret Sanger. Due to the combination of her knowledge as a nurse and her personal experiences, Sanger developed a drive to change the face of women’s sexual and reproductive health. The power of her activism and medical contributions led to the legalization of contraceptives, as well as abortions, the introduction of sexual education, and most importantly the creation of the Birth Control Pill. The protection of women’s physical bodies, in terms of fertility, were ensured because of the impact Sanger had on the legality and practice of women’s health. However, her advocacy for the protection of women’s reproductive health also became a symbol of feminism by allowing women full control over their fertility, which contributes to women’s general fight for power in a patriarchal-rooted society. Although the Pill displayed some flaws in its beginnings and could still be improved to this day, there is no doubt that Margaret Singer is a significant reason that women in the United States can safely make their own sexual and fertility health decisions.
An Activist in Action
This photo, taken in 1929, of Margaret Sanger shows her mouth being covered by a piece of cloth. The image was taken prior to her arrival at a banquet in Boston, Massachusetts. She had been continuously denied the right to speak about safe sex and birth control in Boston until one hall in the city, The Forum, hosted an event inviting all of the people that had been prevented from speaking in Boston. Sanger was asked to speak that night but instead arrived with a gag on her mouth and handed her speech to be read by someone else. The photo is one of the most famous photos of Sanger and it captures her perfectly. Sanger believed in a woman’s right to make decisions about her own life and body. She dedicated her life to educating people about safe sex and advocated for laws that prohibited contraceptives to be repealed. This demonstration was symbolic of the metaphorical gag that had been placed on women at this time since they were not given the freedom to choose.
(Source: https://nyu.edu)
The Woman Rebel:
The Woman Rebel was a newsletter written by Margaret Sanger in 1914 to spread more awareness about birth control, safe sex, and other issues for women of the time. In the first edition of the paper she wrote:
“Why the Woman Rebel? Because I believe that deep down in woman’s nature lies slumbering the spirit of revolt. Because I believe that woman is enslaved by the world machine, by sex conventions, by motherhood and its present necessary child-rearing, by wage-slavery, by middle-class morality, by customs, laws and superstitions. Because I believe that these things which enslave woman must be fought openly, fearlessly, consciously.” (The Woman Rebel, 1st edition)
Sanger hoped that by writing the newsletter she would be able to educate more women about the options they have for their bodies. In doing so, she was able to reach many more women and create a large community of feminists who supported her movement. Within the newsletter were stories of women in distress from unwanted pregnancies, governmental issues, and empowering statements from Sanger. Her words were incredibly impactful at the time, and are still relevant today.
(Source: The Woman Rebel)
Controversy:
While Margaret Sanger was a true pioneer in the women’s rights movement, she is subject to much controversy over her other beliefs. Sanger was associated with many white supremacist groups and was also a supporter of eugenics. She spoke to the women of the Klu Klux Klan in New Jersey and supported the Supreme Court’s decision in Buck v. Bell to sterilize people deemed “unfit” for society without their consent. Her creation of the pill was done through experimentation on over 1,500 women in Puerto Rico who were not told that the drug was experimental at the time. These are just some of the injustices Sanger supported, and it was not until recently that she was held accountable for her actions. Planned Parenthood has removed her name from many of its awards and has publicly condemned her choices in life. The choices Sanger made in her life are worthy of disgrace, however it is also important to acknowledge how she played an important role in many of the major leaps forward in women’s rights. When remembering Margaret Sanger, it is necessary to acknowledge both sides of her, the leader and advocate, as well as the afflicter of pain she was on many communities.
(Source: https://www.nytimes.com)
