Margaret Sanger

Margaret Sanger was a pioneering birth control activist who established organizations that evolved into Planned Parenthood.

Margaret Sanger, born on September 14, 1879, in Corning, New York, was a trailblazer in the field of reproductive rights and health care. Her contribution to women's rights through the advocacy of birth control has had a lasting impact, shaping the conversation around reproductive health and the right of women to control their own bodies.

Trained as a nurse, Sanger witnessed firsthand the suffering caused by unintended pregnancies, illegal abortions, and lack of access to contraception. These experiences motivated her to lead the charge for birth control, a subject considered taboo in the early 20th century. Determined to change this, in 1916, Sanger opened the first birth control clinic in the United States in Brooklyn, which led to her arrest for distributing contraceptives to women — a violation of the Comstock Law prohibiting the distribution of "obscene" materials.

Despite legal challenges, Sanger persistently advocated for women's reproductive rights, founding the American Birth Control League in 1921, which later became Planned Parenthood. She played a crucial role in the development of the first oral contraceptive pill, providing women autonomy over their reproductive choices, which significantly advanced gender equality.

Margaret Sanger's legacy is a world where women have greater access to reproductive health services and rights. Her relentless dedication paved the way for subsequent generations to continue the fight for reproductive justice, emphasizing the importance of family planning in women's health and global women's rights movements.

To learn more about Sanger's legacy and contributions, visit Planned Parenthood.