1916: Sanger’s clinic

On October 16th, 1916, Margaret Sanger opened The Brownsville Clinic in Brooklyn, New York. This became the first birth-control centered clinic in history. (Grimaldi, 1)[1]

Margaret Sanger was an activist for many things, but specifically women’s rights.

In 1912, she wrote a newspaper called “What Every Girl Should Know”, and started working as a nurse in New York City. She came into contact with a multitude of women who had been through back-alley abortions, self terminations, and other issues involving pregnancies. From then on, she made it her job to fight for birth control and contraceptives. (“Margaret Sanger.”, 1)[2]

In 1914, she even published her own news letter called “The Woman Rebel”, which provided information on birth control and sought the educate women. It was a call to arms for women during that period in history.

(https://sangerpapers.wordpress.com/2014/03/20/margaret-sangers-the-woman-rebel-100-years-old/)

Although there were legal issues involved with the newsletter, Sanger was never prosecuted, as the government did not want to draw anymore attention to the birth control movement. (“Margaret Sanger’s The Woman Rebel — 100 Years Old.”, 1)[3]

Later in Sanger’s life, she finally opened her own clinic with her sister, Ethyl. She wanted to promote birth control, which was her self-created term, and provide as much knowledge to women about their own sexual education as possible. (Grimaldi, 1)[4]

(https://sangerpapers.wordpress.com/2010/10/26/sangers-first-clinic/)

As you can read in this flyer promoting the new clinic in Brooklyn, Sanger was promoting the prevention of unwanted pregnancies, and made it known by saying, “Do not kill, do not take life, but prevent. Safe, harmless information can be obtained of trained nurses…” The advertisements let women know that there were accessible, and safe, resources in Sanger’s clinic. (Grimaldi, 1)[5]

Unfortunately, that is what caused police to raid the clinic only nine days after it’s opening. (Grimaldi, 1)[6]

They were arrested for breaking the Comstock law, were charged with unlawful information about contraception, as well as providing aid and assistance to women with birth control. (Grimaldi, 1)[7]

Sanger spent 30 days in jail, but when she was released, the court had made a decision. They would allow doctors to prescribe contraception for female patients only if there were strong medical reasons. (“Margaret Sanger.”, 1)[8]

So, for Sanger, this was a victory.

[1] Grimaldi, Jill. “Sanger’s First Clinic.”,1

[2] “Margaret Sanger.” Biography.com., 1

[3] “Margaret Sanger’s The Woman Rebel — 100 Years Old.” Margaret Sanger Papers Project., 1

[4] Grimaldi, Jill. “Sanger’s First Clinic.”,1

[5] Grimaldi, Jill. “Sanger’s First Clinic.”,1

[6] Grimaldi, Jill. “Sanger’s First Clinic.”,1

[7] Grimaldi, Jill. “Sanger’s First Clinic.”,1

[8] “Margaret Sanger.” Biography.com., 1

 

 

Sources:

(the picture is the primary resource)

Grimaldi, Jill. “Sanger’s First Clinic.” Margaret Sanger Papers Project. N.p., 19 Nov. 2010. Web. 12 Feb. 2017.

“Margaret Sanger.” Biography.com. A&E Networks Television, 08 July 2014. Web. 12 Feb. 2017.

“Margaret Sanger’s The Woman Rebel — 100 Years Old.” Margaret Sanger Papers Project. N.p., 20 Mar. 2014. Web. 12 Feb. 2017.