MARGARET H.

SANGER (1879-1966)

Carly Vanderkolk
Arizona State University

Based on your research, what do you think was your historical

nurses most significant contribution to nursing and healthcare and
why?
I believe Margaret Sangers most significant contribution to
nursing and healthcare was her research and success in developing
the first oral contraceptive or birth control pill (ANA, 2016). She
also created the first Planned Parenthood clinic for women to receive
proper forms of contraceptives and abortions (Katz, 2000). Her work
is influential today because many women use the birth control pill
and utilize birth control clinics to prevent unwanted pregnancies.
The current low price of birth control makes it easily accessible to
women of all backgrounds, which is what Sanger wanted to provide
(Katz, 2000).

Fig. 1

What did you find the most surprising, odd, interesting or curious
thing about your historical nurse?

Fig. 2

What surprised me most about Margaret Sanger was the

multitude of beliefs she stood for and the amount of feats she was
able to accomplish during her time. These included creating multiple
organizations for the legalization of contraceptives, and constantly
fighting to show the government that birth control is a necessity for a
majority of women and families (ANA, 2016). She was a strong
voice in the feminist movement and cared deeply for all races and
people of all financial backgrounds (ANA, 2016). Towards the end
of her career she was focused on using contraceptives for population
control, and wanted to create international leagues to communicate
with other countries regarding this subject (Katz, 2000). She was
kind and genuinely cared for others despite being a wealthy woman
with little professional experience. I was also surprised how she was
unafraid to stand up for her beliefs and for the well-being of those
around her, even if it meant going to prison or sacrificing her
personal life and relationships (Katz, 2000).

How might you use the information your discovered

about your historical nurse in your future as a member
of the healthcare profession?
Currently I am interested in pursuing a career in
the fields of Obstetrics and Gynecology , and Margaret
Sanger was a pioneer in these areas. By knowing the
roots of this study and how birth control options and
clinics came to be, it has helped me gain a greater
appreciation for this field. I am fortunate that I will be
able to offer care to patients using these methods, and
that I can continue the research and work of historical
nurses like Sanger to better the lives of women and
their families. I hope to be influential like Margaret
Sanger and to make a difference in the medical field by
providing people with the information and help they
need to live healthy and fulfilling lives.

Fig. 3

REFERENCES
Katz, E. (2000). Sanger, Margaret. American National Biography Online. Retrieved
January 19, 2016, from http://www.anb.org/articles/15/15-00598.html
Fig. 1. Margaret H. Sanger (1879-1966) 1976 Inductee. (2016). American Nurses
Association. Retrieved January 19, 2016, from
http://www.nursingworld.org/FunctionalMenuCategories/AboutANA/Honoring-Nurses
/
NationalAwardsProgram/HallofFame/19761982/sangmh5579.html
Fig. 2. Sanger, Margaret. American National Biography Online. Retrieved January 19,
2016, from http://www.anb.org/articles/15/15-00598.html
Fig. 3. Contraception. (n.d.). NARAL Pro-Choice Texas. Retrieved January 19, 2016,
from http://prochoicetexas.org/learn-more/contraception/
Fig. 4. What Every Girl Should Know. (2014) Encylopaedia Britannica Online.
Retrieved January 19, 2016, from
http://www.britannica.com/biography/Margaret-Sanger
Margaret H. Sanger (1879-1966) 1976 Inductee. (2016). American Nurses Association.
Retrieved January 19, 2016, from
http://www.nursingworld.org/FunctionalMenuCategories/AboutANA/Honoring-Nurses
/
NationalAwardsProgram/HallofFame/19761982/sangmh5579.html

Fig. 4