The Selected Papers, Vol. 2: Birth Control Comes of Age, 1928-1939

The Selected Papers of Margaret Sanger #2

by Margaret Sanger, Esther Katz (Editor), Cathy Moran Hajo (Editor)

The birth control crusader, feminist, and reformer Margaret Sanger was one of the most controversial and dynamic figures of the twentieth century. Volume 2 chronicles Sanger’s efforts during the Depression years to legalize contraception. These significant and engaging letters and writings, constructed to be read as biography, tell the story of Sanger’s frank discussion of birth control before an uneasy Congress, her quest for a judicial test case, and her ongoing public relations campaign in the face of powerful opposition from the Catholic Church, to convince Americans about the benefits of birth control. Volume 2 also documents Sanger’s complicated personal life, her unstable marriage, loss of wealth, and love affairs in middle age. Required reading for anyone interested in the emergence of planned parenthood and the life of its extraordinary leader.

Genres: Feminism

528 pages, Hardcover

First published March 26, 2007

About the author

Margaret Higgins Sanger Slee was an American birth control activist and the founder of the American Birth Control League (which eventually became Planned Parenthood). Although she initially met with opposition, Sanger gradually won some support for getting women access to contraception. In her drive to promote contraception and negative eugenics, Sanger remains a controversial figure.

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Important background information for those interesting in the history of the birth control movement and how we got to where we are today.