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A review by courtney_mcallister
Fighting for Life by S. Josephine Baker
4.0
I think the best word to describe Fighting for Life is enlightening. Sara Josephine Baker is one of those influential historical figures who was responsible for creating (or contributing to) so many things that we consider normative now. Having nurses in public schools? Using state medicine to prevent illnesses? Articulating that children's health care needs to begin at the prenatal stage? We have Dr. Baker to thank for these and many other innovations. Oh, and she also tracked down Typhoid Mary, was a suffragist, and actively campaigned to eliminate child labor.
I think one of my favorite aspects of Baker's autobiography is her down-to-earth attitude towards such an impressive life's work. The tone of Fighting for Life is inherently reflective of Baker's essential pragmatism. When she was first getting involved in child health care reform, she tackled the issues with clear-headed intelligence, and then had the patience and determination to see her ideas through. The story doesn't read like a fairy tale or series of charmed events. There's no glamorous turning point in her saga - no romantic conviction driving her work. She believed in making life better for children, and set out to do just that without much fanfare. It's the relentless determination that lead to her successes. I like that the work was enough for her. It's great to be reminded that a noble pursuit doesn't require maudlin digressions or justifications.
Fighting for Life accomplishes several things simultaneously: while it gives an overview of how public health was revolutionized at the turn of the century, it also offers an interesting perspective on the various milestones of women's rights in America - the founding of Vassar, women being admitted into medical colleges, getting the right to vote, etc. Baker's own influence on women's rights is impressive - her persistent challenges to patriarchy are a delight to read about, especially considering her markedly un-dramatic approach. Time and again, it seems like she simply states the obvious and then waits for others to see it from her point of view or make total fools of themselves. In my opinion, that pattern depicts genuine self-possessed power in action.
Considering Fighting for Life was written in 1939, it feels very relevant to contemporary discourse on public medicine and health. There are also dated and archaic moments, though. Even when I disagreed with Baker's perspective on something, I couldn't help but admire her. As an example of a pioneer and activist, she's a formidable presence.
I think one of my favorite aspects of Baker's autobiography is her down-to-earth attitude towards such an impressive life's work. The tone of Fighting for Life is inherently reflective of Baker's essential pragmatism. When she was first getting involved in child health care reform, she tackled the issues with clear-headed intelligence, and then had the patience and determination to see her ideas through. The story doesn't read like a fairy tale or series of charmed events. There's no glamorous turning point in her saga - no romantic conviction driving her work. She believed in making life better for children, and set out to do just that without much fanfare. It's the relentless determination that lead to her successes. I like that the work was enough for her. It's great to be reminded that a noble pursuit doesn't require maudlin digressions or justifications.
Fighting for Life accomplishes several things simultaneously: while it gives an overview of how public health was revolutionized at the turn of the century, it also offers an interesting perspective on the various milestones of women's rights in America - the founding of Vassar, women being admitted into medical colleges, getting the right to vote, etc. Baker's own influence on women's rights is impressive - her persistent challenges to patriarchy are a delight to read about, especially considering her markedly un-dramatic approach. Time and again, it seems like she simply states the obvious and then waits for others to see it from her point of view or make total fools of themselves. In my opinion, that pattern depicts genuine self-possessed power in action.
Considering Fighting for Life was written in 1939, it feels very relevant to contemporary discourse on public medicine and health. There are also dated and archaic moments, though. Even when I disagreed with Baker's perspective on something, I couldn't help but admire her. As an example of a pioneer and activist, she's a formidable presence.