Leading by example
By showing women that meaningful success was possible, Bly led women to pursue a fairer role in society.
"Women had been factory workers in the United States from the 1830's, but... for middle class women to work when Nellie Bly was growing up-- people... didn't really do it."
-Jean Marie Lutes, author, Front Page Girls
Nellie Bly was a leader for women because she prospered in her career at a time where women were low ranking employees.
Bly was called "the best reporter in America" by the New York Evening Journal and obtained her own column: a huge honor.
"This is all my own. Herein every Sunday I may say all I please and what I please." Through her achievements, Bly showed women they could succeed.
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Pioneer
Bly's incredible feats, including her trip around the world, allowed women to pursue opportunities that were previously for males.
"In the 1800s, male editors didn't even like to send their female reporters across the city by themselves. They weren't supposed go out in the rain by themselves! The notion that a woman was going to go around the world by herself was unthinkable."
-Interview with Matthew Goodman
At the end of her life Nellie Bly became an industrial tycoon, controlling a multi-million dollar company in 1902, which was unheard of for a woman at that time.
Support for women's rights
Bly wrote about females' experiences and her support for women's rights. As a famous journalist, Bly's opinion was important to the public and she led women to support rights.
Important Interviews
Bly interviewed political figures and spread their messages to the public.
This increased public support of suffrage, leaving a legacy through support for women's rights.
This increased public support of suffrage, leaving a legacy through support for women's rights.
In her article, Let Me Tell You What I Think About Bicycling, Bly interviewed suffragette Susan B. Anthony.
"[Susan B. Anthony] is ideal and if we will have in women who vote what we have in her, let us all help to promote the cause of women's suffrage." -Nellie Bly |
In Nellie Bly and Thomas C. Platt, Bly interviewed politician Thomas C. Platt and promoted his pro-female worker's sentiment.
“There are many public offices women can properly fill.” |
In Are You an Anarchist? Bly asked Governor Atgeld questions like, "What do you think of women's suffrage?"
"I believe in doing exact justice to women as well as men." |
"[Nellie Bly] was not a really aggressive feminist, but she certainly believed in women's right to work." - Jean Marie Lutes, author, Front Page Girls