Nellie Bly: Feminist Pioneer

 by Alice S

Nellie Bly catapulted to fame in 1887 when she went undercover as a patient at a New York City mental health asylum, exposing its appalling conditions in the New York World. Her courageous reporting not only heightened awareness about mental health treatment and prompted significant institutional reforms but also pioneered the era of investigative journalism. Throughout her illustrious career, Bly embarked on a record-setting journey around the world, managed an oil manufacturing company, and reported from the front lines of World War I in Europe.

Bly’s career took a turn when she looked for work to support her family but realised she faced many less prospects than her brothers. In response to an article in the Pittsburgh Dispatch criticising women's presence in the workforce, Nellie Bly wrote a compelling open letter to the editor, advocating for greater opportunities for women, particularly those supporting their families financially. Impressed by her writing, the newspaper’s editor, George Madden, invited her to join the Dispatch as a reporter. Adopting the pen name Nellie Bly from a popular song of the era, she quickly became a popular columnist. However, restricted to writing solely on women's issues, Bly soon grew dissatisfied and left the Dispatch in search of more challenging assignments. 

Eager to write pieces that appealed to both men and women, Nellie Bly sought a newspaper that would allow her to tackle more serious topics. She moved to New York City in 1886, but struggled to find work in the male-dominated field of journalism. In 1887, Bly boldly entered the office of the New York World, one of the nation’s leading newspapers, proposing a story on the immigrant experience in the United States. While editor Joseph Pulitzer declined this idea, he challenged Bly to investigate the notorious mental asylum on Blackwell’s Island. Rising to the challenge, Bly feigned mental illness to gain admission and expose the harsh conditions patients faced. Her courageous and audacious act not only succeeded in revealing the asylum's abuses but also cemented her legacy as one of history's most notable journalists.

Nellie Bly’s six-part series on her asylum experience, titled "Ten Days in a Madhouse," catapulted her to national fame. Her vivid and harrowing account of life inside the asylum shocked the public, resulting in increased funding to improve the institution's conditions. This groundbreaking work not only highlighted the severe mistreatment of patients but also pioneered the field of investigative journalism. Bly continued to tackle New York’s social issues with her incisive reporting, exposing corruption in the state legislature, unscrupulous employment agencies exploiting domestic workers, and the black market for buying infants. Her straightforward yet compassionate reporting style captivated audiences, further solidifying her reputation as one of the most influential journalists of her time.

Bly’s illustrious career soared to new heights in 1889 when she embarked on an ambitious journey inspired by Jules Verne’s popular novel, "Around the World in 80 Days." Determined to beat the fictional record, she set off on a globe-trotting adventure that captivated the nation. The New York World published daily updates on her progress, and readers across the country eagerly followed her exploits. Bly completed her trip in just 72 days, setting a world record for circumnavigating the globe. However, her record stood for only a few months before businessman George Francis Train eclipsed it by completing the journey in 67 days.

Nellie Bly continued to produce influential journalism, conducting in-depth interviews with prominent figures such as anarchist activist and writer Emma Goldman and socialist politician and labour organiser Eugene V. Debs. Her reporting extended to major national events, including the march of Jacob Coxey’s Army on Washington, D.C., and the Pullman Strike in Chicago, both pivotal 1894 protests advocating for workers' rights. Through these stories, Bly's insightful and compelling writing highlighted significant social and political issues, further cementing her legacy as a trailblazing journalist dedicated to championing the underrepresented and marginalised.

While still working as a writer, Bly died from pneumonia on January 27, 1922. In a tribute after her death, the acclaimed newspaper editor Arthur Brisbane remembered Bly as “the best reporter in America.” 

Nellie Bly made significant contributions to feminism through her fearless journalism and advocacy for women's rights, breaking barriers and challenging societal norms of her time. In summary, Nellie Bly's groundbreaking work and bold approach to journalism significantly contributed to the advancement of feminism by challenging gender norms, advocating for women's rights, and inspiring future generations of women to pursue their goals with determination and resilience.