Margaret Sanger
American Birth Control Activist
Who is Margaret Sanger?
Margaret Sanger was the first public American birth control advocate. She gained this title through her many years she spent preventing unwanted pregnancies and self induced abortions. She founded The American Birth Control League in 1921, which was the start of the women's health foundation we know today as Planned Parenthood.
About Margaret Sanger
Margaret Sanger was born on September 14, 1879 in Corning, NY to Michael Hennessy Higgins and Anne Purcell Higgins. Her family immigrated from Ireland. She was born into an impoverished family and was one of eleven children. She was exposed to how women in poverty were affected by having numerous children and this sparked her interest for women's health. Margaret received her education at Claverack College and Hudson River Institute. She died on September 6, 1966 in Tuscon, AZ. Sanger married to William Sanger. Together, they had two sons: Stuart and Grant Sanger.