Nellie Bly. Today this name doesn’t really mean anything, but 150 years ago hearing it sparked excitement, intrigue, and hope. So, I want to tell you about an amazing journalist who deserves all the praise in the world for being dedicated to finding the truth, completely changing the news industry, and paving the way for thousands of women who followed in her footsteps.
Nellie Bly worked tirelessly and went to new heights in order to expose injustice. The most famous example of her determination as a reporter was when she visited Blackwell Island Asylum. This was a mental hospital that was rumored to abuse the patients that were put in their care. In order to find the truth, Nellie Bly faked insanity in order to get herself admitted to the hospital.
After ten days living in the asylum, she wrote a scathing article about abusive nurses who would physically harm the patients, filthy and cramped living conditions, and doctors who didn’t know and didn’t care that any of this was happening. This groundbreaking story earned Nellie a place writing for the New York World, Joseph Pulitzer’s illustrious newspaper in 1887.
Other stories Nellie Bly reported exposed corrupt politicians, busted child trafficking rings, and shed light on the exploitative working conditions in factories.
While other journalists were writing at their desks, Nellie Bly was out in the world going undercover to find her latest story. People all across the country couldn’t wait to read about what Nellie Bly was up to next. Her success set a new standard for other journalists who took inspiration from her innovative way of reporting.
Journalists putting themselves into extraordinary positions in order to expose injustice was known as “stunt reporting”, a style that became synonymous with Bly’s name.
These stories had eye-catching headlines and were known for exaggeration. It was sensationalized reporting at its best. While this reporting isn’t really favored by journalists today and is often linked with lies and “click bait”, it made the people of the time actually interested in the news. For once, everyone in America was invested in and aware of what was happening in the country.
Another thing that makes Nellie Bly so impressive is the early feminist icon she proved to be. At a time when women weren’t expected to do anything more than get married and have children, Nellie built herself an amazing career that would span decades.
She refused to write articles about home, fashion, and gardening which the very few women in journalism were confined to writing. At her very first writing job, she got into trouble for writing about topics heavy like sexism. After backlash from the public who thought a woman shouldn’t be writing about such things, her editor gave her ultimatum: write a piece about gardening or she was fired. Instead of handing in the article, she handed in her resignation.
Nellie Bly also is known for beating the record in Jules Verne’s "Around the World in Eighty Days." In only 72 days Nellie had traveled across the globe This was a big deal during the 1800s because of the constraints forced on women by society. Women were only permitted to travel with escorts and were stereotyped to carry “too many bags” when they traveled.
These things were used against Nellie by the people who thought a woman could never accomplish what she was about to. By going on this journey Nellie Bly proved women could do anything men could do and by beating the time Nellie proved women could do things even better.
Nellie Bly was proof that women could not only succeed but also excel in journalism, an industry which was dominated by men. She opened the door for women who wanted to follow in her footsteps but were always afraid of being marginalized.
Nellie Bly once said, “Energy rightly applied can accomplish anything”, and looking back at her life you can tell she applied these words to everything she did. Bly was able to do extraordinary things because of her passion and determination. I’m so happy that I got to share this woman’s amazing legacy with all of you and that a few more people know her name.
