Breaking Boundaries: The Fearless Nellie Bly

"I have never written a word that did not come from my heart. I never shall." 

Snapshots of Nellie Bly, Photo Credit: Medium

Nellie Bly, the pioneer of investigative journalism, is known worldwide for her compassionate yet highly daring style. 

Born Elizabeth Jane Cochran on May 5, 1864, in Pennsylvania, she had to fight for a place in the world of journalism. At the age of 6, Bly's father died without a will, leaving her and her family to face heavy financial hardship. As a result, she had to leave school at the age of 15 and move to Pittsburgh to be with her mother and two brothers. 

While in Pittsburgh, Bly read an article published in The Pittsburgh Dispatch that negatively commented on a woman's place in the workforce. She immediately responded by writing a letter to the editor, George Madden, a call to action to allow more women in a professional environment. Not only did her letter reach the editor, but Madden also saw extreme potential in young Bly and offered her a job as a reporter for The Dispatch. 

Photo Cred: The Library of Congress

Thus, her pen name, Nellie Bly, was born. 

However, due to the position's limitations, Bly was only ever assigned columns on women's issues. As a result, she quit her job and in 1886, moved to New York City. Bly craved bigger and better opportunities that would allow her to write meaningful articles, while also showcasing her skills.  

"Start the man, and I'll start the same day for some other newspaper and beat him."

Once in New York, Bly struggled to find work in such a male-dominated industry. That is, until she marched into the office of The New York World. Joseph Pulitzer, the editor at the time, was intrigued by her passion for journalism and proposed that she write a story about Blackwell's Island, New York City's infamous mental asylum. 

Photo cred: The New York Historical

Bly took the assignment further than anyone dared to dream. She faked mental illness, gaining her admission into the asylum. Once inside, she observed and encountered the physical abuse, overcrowded living spaces, and demeaning conditions that were forced upon the patients. Her exposé on the mistreatment of female patients in the asylum was published in a six-part series entitled Ten Days in the Madhouse, which led to public outrage and institutional reforms. 

Nellie Bly's name was heard all over the country as the woman who pioneered investigative journalism. 

Bly's career didn't end there. She continued to make waves in the journalism community, frequently reporting on hard-pressed issues such as corruption, labor abuses, and the black-market for selling and buying children. Her writing captivated her audience in New York and beyond as she continued to make a name for herself. 

Photo Cred: The Collector

Her journalistic endeavors were not strictly limited to New York. After reading the acclaimed novel Around the World in 80 Days, Bly took it upon herself to do the same. In 1889, she took a 72-day trip around the world, with daily updates being published by The New York World, and broke the previous record. 

And she didn't stop there. 

Upon returning from her trip, Bly's portfolio only grew as she continued to publish revolutionary pieces that were pivotal to the world of journalism. Interviews with prominent figures like socialist politician Eugene Debs and anarchist turned activist Emma Goldman demonstrated her ability to remain impartial when confronting adversaries. 

When Bly was 30 years old, she met and married Robert Seamen, retiring from journalism and becoming a businesswoman. When her husband died in 1903, he left Bly in charge of his two massive companies. She not only ran these companies but also patented multiple oil manufacturing investments. However, even with all of her advancements, the companies eventually went bankrupt. 

After returning to journalism to cover WWI in Europe, Bly passed away from pneumonia on January 27, 1922. 

Throughout her life, Bly was a staunch advocate for women's issues, which was evident in the stories she published. Her fierce dedication to the field of journalism is to be greatly admired, and her contributions to investigative journalism have paved the way for countless generations after her. 

In the words of celebrated newspaper editor Arthur Brisbane, Bly is to be remembered as "the best reporter in America."

Photo cred: News Literary Project