Introduction
Social change and activism have been an inseparable part of modern America, with many distinct movements established throughout the years. Feminism, specifically, has come a long way since its foundation, and the efforts of many people have contributed to its development. The freedom to take the same positions as men, make decisions that impact society, and be respected as equals were all achieved through dedication and hard labor. Many women were responsible for bringing light to exclusively female issues and changing the established norms for the better. The rights to control their bodily autonomy were also a focal point of the feminist movement.
One of the women notable for bringing attention to female reproductive health was Margaret Sanger. The woman, credited as the founder of the US women’s birth control movement, was a significant person in American history. Sanger became an important, outspoken figure for the reproductive rights of women. To better understand the roots of the feminist movement, and the progress made since the previous centuries, her work and legacy have to be examined. This paper is focused on Sanger’s efforts to expand the birth control movement to the rural areas of America. The impact of her deeds and contemporary reception will also be discussed.
About Margaret Sanger
To better understand the work of Margaret Sanger, one also needs to learn about her life and upbringing. Born in 1879, Corning, NY, in a family of 11, she grew up in poverty caring for her younger siblings and tending to chores (Michals, 2017). Her mother’s early death has had a considerable impact on her opinion about birth control and bodily autonomy. Growing up, Sanger became a nurse after attending Claverack College and the Hudson River Institute (Michals, 2017). This early, formative period of her life has shaped her understanding of female issues and her future role in their resolution. After a fire broke out in her new home, in 1911, she moved to the suburbs of New York with her family (Michals, 2017). The move to NY was the start of her activist career.
Working as a nurse, she became an active figure in progressive circles and involved herself in the socialist political movement. She participated in strikes and expanded her political interests, slowly aligning herself with the feminist cause. Writing columns on sex education, Sanger strongly believed that the key to ensuring the well-being of women was to give them control over the family size and reproduction. She made the spreading of birth control information her mission, seeking to change legislation and help poor families get an education on the topic. Opening her first birth control clinic in 1916, Sanger slowly worked around the restrictive laws to give women access to contraception (Michals, 2017). In the 1920s and 30s, she managed to expand her work efforts internationally and retired in 1942. Her life was largely controversial and inspiring for many women in America and around the world.
Opinions and Projects About the Rural Areas
Since she was born in a big, poor family, the struggles of the lower classes were a cause of great concern for Margaret Sanger. Many feminist movements of the time primarily consisted of non-working, highly educated women. Their members were often focused on specific issues of their class and failed to take into account the problems of working women (Margaret Sanger and the Women’s Suffrage Movement, 2018). Female mortality rates during childbirth were high at that time, and many suffered from serious health conditions caused by pregnancy complications. Seeing how the rich and influential people in society could get access to birth control and contraception while the poor were often denied such opportunities, Sanger took the matters into her own hands (Margaret Sanger and the Women’s Suffrage Movement, 2018). As a nurse, Sanger made attempts to educate people she visited on birth control and to disprove the dangerous superstitions of that time.
Sanger also made an effort to frequent the homes of poor immigrants and people with limited access to healthcare, hoping to relieve them of their struggles. Sanger worked in an attempt to legalize birth control and overturn the Comstock laws that prohibited it (Margaret Sanger and the Women’s Suffrage Movement, 2018). The south of America, with a large percentage of poor people, was a point of huge concern both for the government and for Sanger. During the time of the Birth Control Federation of America, a large number of birth control clinics were also opened, specifically targeting the rural areas (Newsletter #28, 2001). One of her notable contributions to the troubles of the rural areas was “The Negro Project” (Newsletter #28, 2001). This initiative was formed with the intent of supporting the African-American community, especially black people in small-town parts of America. Implemented with support from the leaders of the black community, it attempted to provide black women with education and access to birth control and various forms of contraception (Newsletter #28, 2001). The funding was sourced through willing entrepreneurs, and Sanger hoped she could find a way to speak with African-Americans in the most effective manner.
The Negro Project
The Negro Project, as one of the more controversial parts of Sanger’s career, deserves further inspection. The task was one of the first for the Birth Control Federation of America. The plan was formed and outlined by white reformists, with the black community serving as a promotion. The project, widely supported by black leaders such as Bethune and DuBois was concerned with the plight of the underprivileged group in society (Newsletter #28, 2001). As envisioned by Sanger, this initiative would give black women access to contraception and birth control services. Originally, the plan was to hire black doctors and nurses who would understand the target audience and elicit trust, but that goal was not achieved.
The funding secured to teach and prepare non-white doctors went elsewhere, and the Birth Control Federation used white people instead (Newsletter #28, 2001). White male doctors were the main informants for this program, which alienated a large part of the black community. The effort to introduce permanent clinics with African-American staff also failed, being changed to temporary waves of propaganda (Newsletter #28, 2001). The project also had other unintentional consequences. While the intentions of this initiative were noble, their implementation suffered, as control shifted from Sanger to groups with conflicting interests. The Negro Project has attracted the attention of racist eugenicists, who saw it as an opportunity to “breed out” the blacks. In the end, Sanger’s ambitions got modest success but were ultimately undermined by an inability to connect with the black community.
Women’s reactions
Nowadays, Margaret Sanger is a controversial figure, both renowned for her contribution to feminism and condemned for some of her practices. Sanger’s efforts gave women the right to have agency over their bodies and have freedom over having children. Her work helped to pave a road on the way to women’s civil rights and has left an example of effective, non-violent activism.
On the other hand, she had a lot of detractors as well. Her views at the time were radical to Christian America, and many believers considered her actions to be sinful. The mail she received often detailed the complaints of angry Christian women, who saw contraception as murder (Newsletter #47, 2007/2008). The letters focused strongly on the moral side of contraception and abortion, calling attention to the fact what “controlled infanticide” is wrong in the eyes of God (Newsletter #47, 2007/2008). Many contemporaries also admit that her character was rather difficult to deal with at times. She was often too focused on her singular goal and unwilling to hear the opinions of others, seeming condescending.
Her focus on the issues of birth control also closely aligned her with the eugenics movement, which brought unfortunate results. Many female minorities and members of marginalized groups have spoken up about this topic and condemned Margaret Sanger. Eugenicist rhetoric was gaining popularity during her time, and many used it to advocate for forced sterilization based on race, ethnicity, mental and physical health, or any other inherent human quality. Sanger vehemently denied the notion of racial inferiority but was in support of controlling the population-based on “physical or mental defects” (Planned Parenthood, 2016). It is unclear to what extent she shared eugenics beliefs, but they have significantly tarnished her reputation in modern times. Her involvement has granted her infamy, and many people still criticize Sanger for her views.
Impact
The impact of Margaret Sanger’s work is evident in society to this day. Her life has allowed the feminist movement to move in the right direction, making advancements in the field of female rights. Born into a poor family, she has achieved many things during her time and became a role model for many women of the 20th and 21st centuries. Her efforts helped to promote female empowerment both at home and in society, setting a precedent for future civil rights and feminist activists (Planned Parenthood, 2016). An organized approach to non-violent protests helped her movement gain public support and achieve its goals without heavy losses. The abolition of restrictive Comstock laws has given women the opportunity to legally use contraceptives, and the subsequent ruling made it a constitutional right.
Sanger’s medical work also aided in the development of many contraceptives, including the pill, which allowed women to choose in matters of their bodily autonomy. Being the founder and the leader in the sphere of reproductive rights, she has established the birth control movement, later renamed planned parenthood, that exists to this day (Planned Parenthood, 2016). Planned parenthood recognizes the work and impact of Margaret Sanger, regarding her as an important figure in American history while acknowledging her mistakes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Margaret Sanger is a controversial figure in American history who has left a considerable impact on the world. Due to her upbringing, Sanger was in touch with people and concerned with the struggles of the working women. Establishing the birth control movement, she sought to provide many people with better education about reproductive health and give access to the means of contraception.
Aligning herself with many people supporting her cause, Sanger has gained the ability to lead an international movement and bring structural changes to society. She supported the rights of women from rural areas and marginalize communities, spearheading programs that gave them access to reproductive control information. The “Negro Project” she led, while not having much success, still allowed some women of color to exercise their bodily autonomy better. While her impact was significant, it is also important to acknowledge her flaws as an activist and as a person. She has also gained infamy over the years because of her involvement and support of eugenics. Her views on the topic of birth control of mentally or physically challenged people can be considered highly controversial even today.
References
Margaret Sanger and the Women’s Suffrage Movement. (2018). Oviatt Library. Web.
Michals, D. (2017). Margaret Sanger. National Women’s History Museum. Web.
Newsletter #28 (2001). Margaret Sanger Papers Project. Web.
Newsletter #47 (2007/2008). Margaret Sanger Papers Project. Web.
Planned Parenthood. (2016). Margaret Sanger — Our Founder [PDF document]. Web.