Margaret Sanger
A birth control activist, sex educator and nurse, she opened the first birth control clinic
Real World Example
Margaret Sanger was a pioneering birth control activist and nurse during The Progressive Era, who opened the first birth control clinic in the United States in 1916. Her work was significant because it challenged laws that restricted access to contraceptive information and services, advocating for women's rights to control their own bodies. At a time when discussing birth control was taboo, Sanger's efforts helped to ignite a movement for reproductive rights and women's health. Today, her legacy lives on through organizations like Planned Parenthood, which she founded, providing vital health services and education to millions. For example, a young woman today can access contraception and reproductive health services at a clinic, thanks in part to Sanger's groundbreaking advocacy.