Women's information access and social change

¶ … spending time reflecting on the lives and accomplishments of Fannie Coralie Perkins, Betty Friedan, Eleanor Roosevelt, Margaret Louisa Higgins, and Ida B. Wells-Barnet, a number of responses come to mind. First, it is important to note what makes each of these women unique and how they contributed uniquely to society. Second, it is important to note how they are all similar and how the contributed collectively to the evolution of women in society.

Fannie Coralie Perkins was born in the late 19th Century and lived 85 years (until 1965). Almost 20 years after (1982) her death, Perkins was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame, an honor bestowed upon her posthumously because of the substantial mark she left on history. One of the defining moments that sparked her interest in issues of social justice and, subsequently her life's work, was her witness of the "Triangle Shirtwaist Fire," where several women were seen jumping out of their burning factory because of a lack of fire escapes. Her response says that this moment "seared on my mind as well as my heart -- a never to be forgotten reminder of why I had to spend my life fighting conditions that cold permit such a tragedy."

And, fight she did on behalf of laborers in all sorts of contexts facing labor (safety) violations and oppressive conditions. Over the course of her work, Perkins became the first female member of the NY State Industrial Commission, the first woman to hold a (Presidential) cabinet (Department of Labor) position in the U.S., and is attributed recognition for the minimum wage laws, unemployment insurance, regulation of child labor, Social Security legislation, and numerous achievements in industrial labor relations.

Equally as strong and courageous is Betty Friedan, a feminist, activist, reformer, psychologist, writer, and mother. Friedan was born in 1921 and also lived 85 years. Friedan was particularly intelligent but balanced her academic prowess with a strong desire to be in the workforce. Friedan faced issues in the workforce after becoming a mom and getting fired when asking for maternity leave with her 2nd child. Friedan published the book, The Feminine Mystique in 1963 and became an instant celebrity. Friedan became heavily involved in the women's movement based on her own experience and abilities as a leader. She also authored several other works and founded several national organizations for women's rights issues.

Eleanor Roosevelt, according to many, is certainly one of the greatest women (of the U.S.) to ever live. Like Perkins and Friedan, she was a very strong, courageous, intelligent, ambitious, and accomplished woman. She also had the platform (as First Lady) to play an integral role in both social and political life in the United States for quite some time. And, she did not disappoint. She actively worked for a number of social causes, particularly those related to youth empowerment, civil rights (women, Jewish freedom, racial reconciliation), peace, and justice. Roosevelt had the power of persuasion and worked relentlessly to gather the support she needed to make her ideas work.

Another impressive woman is Margaret Louisa Higgins, who became Margaret Louisa Sanger, and she was a nurse by training and vocation. In her role, she focused particularly on sex education and women's health issues/rights., particularly inspired by the death of young mothers from prenatal complications, premature labor, and self-induced abortions. Higgins/Sanger is also an accomplished author and researcher. Higgins/Sanger believed that birth control efficacy was a means towards greater freedom and equality for women and better health. She accomplished several great initiatives and also was an accomplished author.