Nelly Bly- Pioneer of Undercover Journalism

After viewing "Nellie Bly- Pioneer of Undercover Journalism", select which options best summarizes Bly's primary contribution to society.

• fought for the rights of children; end child labor

• wrote about her struggles with mental health

• educated the public on the rights of women

• pioneer of investigative journalism

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What was Bly's first undercover journalistic job?

• responded under the name of "Lonely Orphan Girl" to an article written about women: "What girls are good for".

• used her pseudonym "Lonely Orphan girl" to write about her extensive travels around the world

• acted "crazy" so that she'd be admitted to an insane asylum

• wrote about her life as a traditional married women (articles about the home)

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What was Blackwell's Island?

• Blackwell's Island was a prison where the most notorious criminals of the 19th century were kept.

• Blackwell's Island has a long history of being haunted. For hundreds of years people have avoided visiting. It is well documented that unfortunate events have followed those who were unfortunate enough to step foot in the asylums, prisons, and almshouses build there.

• Blackwell’s Island, now known as Roosevelt Island, has a deep connection to disability and incarceration. For much of the early 1900s, New Yorkers nicknamed the island Welfare Island after the asylums, prisons, and almshouses that were built there.

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How did Bly prepare for the notable role as infiltrator on Blackwell's Island?

• She interviewed and observed patients at Blackwell's Island.

• Practiced facial expressions to make herself seem as "out of it" as possible; additionally, she stayed at a boarding house staring at nothing for hours.

• She went undercover on the streets of New York, observing those society had cast aside.

• She asked neighbors to report her as insane.

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"What, excepting torture, would produce insanity quicker than this treatment?" What does this reveal about the mentality during 19th century towards those who struggled with mental health?

• That doctors had a growing understanding of mental health and were using torture to cure the sick.

• That experiences like Gilman and Bly had were uncommon.

• That fear of the unknown can cause us to treat people poorly.

• That stigmas and stereotypes were allowed to determine the needs of those who needed non-physical medical attention.

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How many days did Bly spend at Blackwell's Island?

• 5

• 10

• 15

• 20

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The public's response to Bly's discoveries was:

• Grateful: Bly was applauded for her efforts and investigative journalism was used more often.

• Sadness: The public was concerned and made an effort to be kinder and give more charitable donations to organizations which supported insane asylums.

• Outrage: The New York Department of Charities and Corrections added a million dollars to its budget. Safer and more humane treatments were implemented.

• Indifference: Though initially appalled by Bly's evidence, nothing changed in society's official treatment of those with mental health issues.

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How did Bly participate in World War I?

• She was the first female war corespondent in the United State.

• She didn't; by then she had contracted pneumonia and died.

• She used her husband's company, Iron Clad Manufacturing Industry, to create war machinery.

• She traveled around the world, writing what she observed during the war.

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Upon her death, the epitaph "The Evening Journal" published was:

• "the 19th century woman"

• "the world's best investigative journalist"

• "one of a kind woman"

• "the best reporter in America"

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As writers, in what ways were Charlotte Perkins Gilman and Nellie Bly similar?

• Like Gilman, Bly was a trailblazer, writing about topics which had been largely avoided by society. "Her writing made a difference in people's lives- effecting change in government and inspiring and enlightening people's imaginations."

• Both Gilman and Bly were uncommon during their time period. While most women aspired to be nothing more than traditional, they strove to break the mold.

• Gilman and Bly showed courage in standing up for what the believed in, even writing about their personal struggles with mental health.

• Both Gilman and Bly were pioneers of undercover journalism.

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