Digging through history, for women who walked against the grain of what they were told was their lot in life, I came across the name Nellie Bly. The more I read the more fascinated I became. She is alive and well in the multitudes who have followed in her footsteps.

I love this woman. She defied the odds of standing out and standing up for equal rights. She really “put herself” in great peril by taking on the assignments she did. I hope you take a little time to read more of her extraordinary legacy beyond journalism.

As a teenager, her mother moved the family to Pittsburgh after the death of her father. A local newspaper column entitled “What Girls Are Good For,” in the Pittsburgh Dispatch, implied that girls were only good for birthing children and keeping house, prompted Elizabeth to write a response under the pseudonym “Lonely Orphan Girl.” The stage was set. The Editor, impressed with her letter, asked her to continue writing articles. Women were employed as writers but used “pen names” and the editor chose for her the name Nellie Bly, after a popular song of the time by Stephen Foster.

She started as an investigative reporter on working women’s issues, but soon was reassigned to the “women pages” to cover fashion, society, and gardening, the usual role for women journalists. This would not do, so she went to Mexico as a foreign correspondent and after six months fled home to America after her scathing reports on the cruel dictatorship threatened her arrest. The dispatches led to a book called “Six Months in Mexico.”

Shortly after returning home Nellie moved to New York and got the attention of Joseph Pulitzer and his paper the New York World. She took an assignment for which she agreed to feign insanity to investigate reports of brutality and neglect at the Women’s Lunatic Asylum on Blackwell’s Island.

After ten days the asylum released Bly at The World’s behest. Her report, later published in book form as Ten Days in a Mad-House, caused a sensation and brought her lasting fame. While physicians and staff worked to explain how she had deceived so many professionals, a grand jury launched its own investigation into conditions at the asylum, inviting Bly to assist. The jury’s report recommended the changes she had proposed. Its call for
increased funds for care of the insane prompted an $850,000 increase in the budget of the Department of Public Charities and Corrections. The grand jury also made sure that future examinations were more thorough so that only the seriously ill went to the asylum.

 

In 1888, Nellie suggested to her editor an idea to circumvent the globe in under 80 days. Jules Verne’s novel was now a best seller and the idea sparked a challenge with a rival paper. 24,899 miles and 72 days later she arrived back in New York, where she began her journey by heading east. Another challenger set off heading west and arrived a few days after Bly.

In 1998 Elizabeth Cochran was inducted into “National Women’s Hall of Fame” and was one of four journalists honored with a U.S postage stamp in a “Women in Journalism” set in 2002. Much has been written and borrowed from her legacy.

Do you have a hero woman journalist or writer?

To learn more of this extraordinary women, here is the Wikipedia link. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nellie_Bly

Elizabeth Jane Cochran, AKA, Nellie Bly, Journalist Extraordinaire

77 thoughts on “Elizabeth Jane Cochran, AKA, Nellie Bly, Journalist Extraordinaire

  • November 26, 2017 at 6:59 pm
    Permalink

    I had no idea that Nellie Bly was such a courageous trail blazer. I’ve heard of her but never in a context. Wouldn’t her life make for a riveting and inspirational movie?

    • November 26, 2017 at 8:46 pm
      Permalink

      She had a play about her on Broadway. The second-season episode “New York City” featured her undercover exploits in the Blackwell’s Island asylum, with Bly being portrayed by Laura Dern. The third-season episode “Journalism” starred Ellie Kemper as Bly and retold the story of her race around the world against Elizabeth Bisland (Natasha Leggero). She lived life large and I do think a new movie is die.

  • January 5, 2018 at 11:34 pm
    Permalink

    I just want to say I am just newbie to blogging and site-building and truly liked this blog site. Most likely I’m going to bookmark your blog . You surely have amazing article content. Thanks a bunch for revealing your blog site.

  • February 26, 2018 at 12:21 pm
    Permalink

    I simply want to tell you that I am just very new to weblog and truly savored your page. Almost certainly I’m likely to bookmark your website . You amazingly come with perfect article content. Appreciate it for revealing your web-site.

    • February 28, 2018 at 8:21 pm
      Permalink

      I use WordPress platform. I built my site from their themes

  • March 2, 2018 at 11:37 am
    Permalink

    I wanted to compose you this very small remark to help say thank you over again for your precious principles you have provided in this article. It was so extremely generous with people like you to provide extensively precisely what a number of people might have supplied for an e book to help make some dough for their own end, principally considering that you might have tried it in the event you desired. Those things also served as a fantastic way to know that other people online have the identical fervor much like mine to know somewhat more related to this condition. I think there are millions of more enjoyable sessions ahead for individuals that start reading your blog.

  • March 4, 2018 at 3:47 am
    Permalink

    Can I simply say what a comfort to find someone who genuinely knows what they are talking about on the net. You definitely know how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More and more people should read this and understand this side of the story. I was surprised you are not more popular because you definitely have the gift.

  • March 4, 2018 at 2:01 pm
    Permalink

    Great beat ! I wish to apprentice at the same time as you amend your site, how can i subscribe for a blog site? The account aided me a appropriate deal. I had been a little bit familiar of this your broadcast provided vibrant clear idea

  • March 4, 2018 at 5:54 pm
    Permalink

    Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your site and in accession capital to assert that I acquire actually enjoyed account your blog posts. Any way I will be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access consistently quickly.

  • March 4, 2018 at 6:36 pm
    Permalink

    You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be actually something which I think I would never understand. It seems too complicated and very broad for me. I am looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!

  • March 5, 2018 at 11:50 am
    Permalink

    I used to be recommended this web site by my cousin. I am now not positive whether this publish is written by way of him as no one else know such specific about my trouble. You’re wonderful! Thank you!

  • March 5, 2018 at 6:50 pm
    Permalink

    Thanks for any other informative web site. The place else may just I get that type of information written in such a perfect means? I’ve a project that I’m just now running on, and I’ve been on the look out for such information.

  • March 5, 2018 at 8:31 pm
    Permalink

    Thanks for sharing excellent informations. Your web site is so cool. I’m impressed by the details that you¡¦ve on this website. It reveals how nicely you perceive this subject. Bookmarked this web page, will come back for extra articles. You, my pal, ROCK! I found simply the info I already searched everywhere and just could not come across. What a perfect website.

  • March 6, 2018 at 12:50 am
    Permalink

    Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your website and in accession capital to assert that I acquire actually enjoyed account your blog posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing to your augment and even I achievement you access consistently rapidly.

  • March 6, 2018 at 4:10 am
    Permalink

    Apple currently is made up of Rhapsody as an app, which is a great start out, however it is at the moment hampered via the incapacity toward shop domestically upon your iPod, and contains a dismal 64kbps little bit rate. If this improvements, then it will rather negate this ease for the Zune, nevertheless the 10 tunes for every thirty day period will nevertheless be a large in addition within Zune Pass’ choose.

  • March 10, 2018 at 8:29 am
    Permalink

    Thanks for posting this awesome article. I’m a long time reader but I’ve never been compelled to leave a comment. I subscribed to your blog and shared this on my Facebook. Thanks again for a great post!

  • March 12, 2018 at 12:08 pm
    Permalink

    Thanks for posting this awesome article. I’m a long time reader but I’ve never been compelled to leave a comment. I subscribed to your blog and shared this on my Twitter. Thanks again for a great post!

  • March 17, 2018 at 8:16 pm
    Permalink

    I just could not depart your web site before suggesting that I really loved the standard information an individual provide in your visitors? Is going to be again regularly to check out new posts.

  • March 21, 2018 at 9:39 am
    Permalink

    Thank you for posting this awesome article. I’m a long time reader but I’ve never been compelled to leave a comment. I subscribed to your blog and shared this on my Facebook. Thanks again for a great article!

  • March 21, 2018 at 12:26 pm
    Permalink

    Hiya there, just started to be receptive to your post through Google, and realized that it’s truly useful. I will be grateful for in the event you continue these.

  • March 21, 2018 at 9:49 pm
    Permalink

    I just desire to inform you that I am new to online blogging and genuinely valued your site. Very likely I am probably to store your blog post . You undoubtedly have amazing article material. Like it for expressing with us your domain page

  • March 23, 2018 at 12:38 am
    Permalink

    Thank you for writing this awesome article. I’m a long time reader but I’ve never been compelled to leave a comment. I subscribed to your blog and shared this on my Facebook. Thanks again for a great article!

  • March 24, 2018 at 3:05 am
    Permalink

    Thank you for publishing this awesome article. I’m a long time reader but I’ve never been compelled to leave a comment. I subscribed to your blog and shared this on my Facebook. Thanks again for a great post!

  • March 25, 2018 at 6:37 pm
    Permalink

    I’ve been absent for some time, but now I remember why I used to love this blog. Thanks, I’ll try and check back more frequently. How frequently you update your site?

  • March 26, 2018 at 10:58 am
    Permalink

    I simply have to advise you that I am new to putting up a blog and totally adored your website. Likely I am probably to remember your blog post . You certainly have wonderful article information. Be Grateful For it for giving out with us your favorite site article

  • March 26, 2018 at 9:16 pm
    Permalink

    Hullo here, just turned out to be aware of your webpage through Yahoo and bing, and discovered that it’s genuinely good. I’ll appreciate should you decide maintain these.

  • March 27, 2018 at 7:28 am
    Permalink

    Thank you for publishing this awesome article. I’m a long time reader but I’ve never been compelled to leave a comment. I subscribed to your blog and shared this on my Twitter. Thanks again for a great post!

  • March 29, 2018 at 7:41 am
    Permalink

    Thanks for publishing this awesome article. I’m a long time reader but I’ve never been compelled to leave a comment. I subscribed to your blog and shared this on my Facebook. Thanks again for a great post!

  • April 1, 2018 at 5:28 pm
    Permalink

    My brother suggested I might like this web site. He was totally right. This post actually made my day. You cann’t imagine simply how much time I had spent for this info! Thanks!

  • April 2, 2018 at 4:56 am
    Permalink

    Hey there, just became aware about your blog page through The Big G, and found that it’s quite informational. I’ll value if you decide to persist this post.

  • April 2, 2018 at 5:00 pm
    Permalink

    Thanks for posting this awesome article. I’m a long time reader but I’ve never been compelled to leave a comment. I subscribed to your blog and shared this on my Twitter. Thanks again for a great article!

  • April 2, 2018 at 7:46 pm
    Permalink

    I just desire to reveal to you that I am new to having a blog and thoroughly cherished your write-up. Very likely I am likely to bookmark your blog post . You literally have memorable article materials. Admire it for sharing with us your main domain post

  • April 8, 2018 at 6:03 pm
    Permalink

    This is really interesting, You are a very skilled blogger. I have joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your great post. Also, I’ve shared your website in my social networks!

  • April 14, 2018 at 2:20 pm
    Permalink

    Thank you for writing this awesome article. I’m a long time reader but I’ve never been compelled to leave a comment. I subscribed to your blog and shared this on my Twitter. Thanks again for a great article!

  • April 14, 2018 at 6:21 pm
    Permalink

    I’ll immediately take hold of your rss feed as I can’t find your email subscription hyperlink or newsletter service. Do you’ve any? Please let me understand so that I may just subscribe. Thanks.

  • April 15, 2018 at 10:10 am
    Permalink

    Thanks so much for providing individuals with a very spectacular chance to read from this website. It is usually so brilliant plus full of a lot of fun for me personally and my office colleagues to visit the blog at a minimum 3 times a week to study the latest items you have got. Not to mention, I am also actually happy considering the gorgeous tricks served by you. Some 3 ideas in this posting are ultimately the most impressive I have had.

  • April 16, 2018 at 1:10 am
    Permalink

    I’ve read a few just right stuff here. Definitely price bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how a lot attempt you put to make the sort of great informative site.

  • April 27, 2018 at 7:40 pm
    Permalink

    great issues altogether, you simply received a logo new reader. What would you suggest about your submit that you made a few days in the past? Any certain?

  • April 30, 2018 at 7:27 pm
    Permalink

    Thanks for sharing excellent informations. Your website is very cool. I am impressed by the details that you have on this blog. It reveals how nicely you perceive this subject. Bookmarked this web page, will come back for more articles. You, my pal, ROCK! I found simply the info I already searched everywhere and just could not come across. What an ideal web-site.

  • May 3, 2018 at 8:24 pm
    Permalink

    I am not sure where you’re getting your info, but good topic. I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more. Thanks for fantastic information I was looking for this info for my mission.

  • May 4, 2018 at 11:38 am
    Permalink

    I have read some excellent stuff here. Definitely price bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how so much attempt you set to create this sort of magnificent informative website.

  • May 4, 2018 at 5:35 pm
    Permalink

    Thanks for publishing this awesome article. I’m a long time reader but I’ve never been compelled to leave a comment. I subscribed to your blog and shared this on my Twitter. Thanks again for a great post!

  • May 17, 2018 at 7:24 pm
    Permalink

    You could certainly see your expertise in the paintings you write. The world hopes for even more passionate writers such as you who aren’t afraid to mention how they believe. At all times follow your heart.

  • July 5, 2018 at 6:39 pm
    Permalink

    Good site! I really love how it is easy on my eyes and the data are well written. I am wondering how I could be notified when a new post has been made. I have subscribed to your RSS which must do the trick! Have a nice day!

  • July 5, 2018 at 6:40 pm
    Permalink

    Thanks for the sensible critique. Me and my neighbor were just preparing to do some research on this. We got a grab a book from our area library but I think I learned more clear from this post. I’m very glad to see such great info being shared freely out there.

  • July 5, 2018 at 6:42 pm
    Permalink

    I wanted to put you that very small remark just to thank you very much the moment again for those striking guidelines you’ve discussed on this site. It was so particularly open-handed of you to provide unreservedly just what many people might have made available as an ebook to make some cash for themselves, and in particular considering that you might well have done it in the event you desired. Those inspiring ideas also worked to be the easy way to be certain that someone else have a similar passion similar to my personal own to see more regarding this condition. I am certain there are many more pleasurable situations ahead for many who scan through your website.

  • July 12, 2018 at 6:25 pm
    Permalink

    Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It in fact was a amusement account it. Look advanced to far added agreeable from you! By the way, how can we communicate?

  • Pingback:Google

  • Pingback:nytimes

  • Pingback:essay

  • Pingback:norwaytoday

  • Pingback:dutchnews

  • Pingback:Herbal Incense Near me

  • Pingback:custom packaging boxes with logo

  • Pingback:Uganda safari vacations

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Social Media Auto Publish Powered By : XYZScripts.com