Katharine McCormick

Civil Rights Leader

Birthday August 27, 1875

Birth Sign Virgo

Birthplace United States

DEATH DATE Dec 28, 1967 (92)

#205,339 Most Popular

About

Prominent supporter of women's rights movement who financed the campaign to legalize oral contraceptives.

Before Fame

She became involved in the campaign for women's suffrage while attending MIT, and from her meeting with Margaret Sanger, the pioneer of reproductive rights, became interested in contraception.

Trivia

Her deep pockets allowed her to finance research on birth-control pills and was continually involved in both its development and trials.

Family Life

She was married to Stanley McCormick, heir to the International Harvester Company fortune, but he began displaying symptoms of dementia soon after.

Associated With

With her generous funding, scientists like John Rock were able to create the first birth control pills.