MARGARET SANGER

Scorned and jailed for disseminating birth control information to poor women, Sanger successfully maintained her personal independence and eventually won public support. Whitelaw interprets her sometimes contradictory actions by referring to two personalities—slow, thoughtful ``Thinking Margaret'' and impulsive ``Emotional Margaret''—who united to help the young nurse overcome her fear of public speaking but often argued over her course of action. The author's touch is especially delicate on Sanger's personal life, putting the devotion of her husbands and the illnesses of her children in the context of the activist's burning commitment. Whitelaw also illustrates clearly the changes in public sentiment about the role of women as Sanger's campaigns continued. A remarkably well-balanced biography of this important social pioneer. Glossary; chronology; bibliography; index. Biography. 12+