Nellie Bly Paper
Regan Snuffer
Dr. Esson
US History
1/26/15
Nellie Bly, the groundbreaking American journalist “I said I could and I would. And I did.” In one line Nellie Bly captures her entire mentality and lifestyle. Nellie Bly is the pen name of the famous, American, female journalist,
Elizabeth Jane Cochrane.
Bly was born in May of 1864 and died January of 1922. She is most widely known for her record breaking trip around the world and her gutsy stunt as playing the role of a mad women in hopes of being taken to an insane asylum and documenting what goes on behind the walls of the asylum and how the patients lived and were treated. Nellie was clearly a bold writer who did things her way and hardly allowed for any hinderance in her journey. Not only did she influence journalism, but she also made an impact on women's rights and flaws in the political system1. Her beginning articles were about female factory workers and the objectifying of women.
Bly was discovered, in fact, by an anonymous letter she wrote denouncing an article titled, “What Women are Good for.” Bly wrote the editor of the
Pittsburg
Dispatch claiming the article was sexist and degrading. The editor was so impressed by her passion and issued advertisements asking her to reveal herself. She did so and was immediately hired by the newspaper.
She also went to Mexico for six months when she was 21 and wrote about the lives and customs of the Mexican people. She titled her book
Six Months in Mexico.
In
this book she shined a light on the inequitable government and the corruption she saw during her trip. She was threatened by readers of the book and faced arrest if she did not leave Mexico. She
American Experience
Around the World in 72 Days
Nellie Bly
1
promptly left. Her intentions in becoming a writer were to be an influence in the world. She wanted people to read and be moved. And she did so at a young age and changed journalism,
sexism,
Dr. Esson
US History
1/26/15
Nellie Bly, the groundbreaking American journalist “I said I could and I would. And I did.” In one line Nellie Bly captures her entire mentality and lifestyle. Nellie Bly is the pen name of the famous, American, female journalist,
Elizabeth Jane Cochrane.
Bly was born in May of 1864 and died January of 1922. She is most widely known for her record breaking trip around the world and her gutsy stunt as playing the role of a mad women in hopes of being taken to an insane asylum and documenting what goes on behind the walls of the asylum and how the patients lived and were treated. Nellie was clearly a bold writer who did things her way and hardly allowed for any hinderance in her journey. Not only did she influence journalism, but she also made an impact on women's rights and flaws in the political system1. Her beginning articles were about female factory workers and the objectifying of women.
Bly was discovered, in fact, by an anonymous letter she wrote denouncing an article titled, “What Women are Good for.” Bly wrote the editor of the
Pittsburg
Dispatch claiming the article was sexist and degrading. The editor was so impressed by her passion and issued advertisements asking her to reveal herself. She did so and was immediately hired by the newspaper.
She also went to Mexico for six months when she was 21 and wrote about the lives and customs of the Mexican people. She titled her book
Six Months in Mexico.
In
this book she shined a light on the inequitable government and the corruption she saw during her trip. She was threatened by readers of the book and faced arrest if she did not leave Mexico. She
American Experience
Around the World in 72 Days
Nellie Bly
1
promptly left. Her intentions in becoming a writer were to be an influence in the world. She wanted people to read and be moved. And she did so at a young age and changed journalism,
sexism,