Ida Tarbell
An investigative journalist who contributed to the dissolution of the Standard Oil monopoly
Real World Example
Ida Tarbell was an influential investigative journalist in the early 1900s who exposed the unfair practices of John D. Rockefeller's Standard Oil Company, leading to its breakup. Her detailed articles, later compiled into a book, highlighted the need for corporate accountability and transparency during a time when America was rapidly industrializing. Tarbell's work mattered because it helped establish the importance of investigative journalism in holding powerful entities accountable. Her legacy continues to inspire modern journalists and advocates for corporate responsibility. For example, today's environmental activists often rely on investigative reports to challenge big companies on issues like pollution and climate change, much like Tarbell did with Standard Oil.
