Margaret Sanger called Tucson home

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_{Undated file photo}

_{Margaret Sanger}

For her lifelong efforts, Sanger faced incarceration, prosecution and condemnation, but her impact on the lives of women throughout the world continues to be felt today.

Having visited Tucson several times, in January 1938, Margaret Sanger declared her allegiance to the Old Pueblo with these words “I’m no longer just a winter visitor, I am a citizen of Tucson and a real Arizonan now.”

Sanger was instrumental in getting the first Tucson birth control clinic started in Dec. 1934. In an appearance before a special meeting of the Pima County Medical society, Sanger secured their support. An important part of the organizations success.

The society unanimously passed the following resolution:

“The Pima County Medical Society has taken cognizance of the fact that it is planned to organize and conduct a birth control clinic in Tucson, with the understanding it is to be conducted along the same lines and policies as similar clinics in other American cities and if and when such a birth control clinic is ready for operation, the president of the Pima County Medical Society is to appoint three of its members to act as a medical advisory committee to a birth control clinic.”

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_{1936 file photo}

_{Margaret Sanger, front row center with white bow, at the first Tucson birth control clinic.}

It was not long before the Tucson’s Mothers Clinic or Clinica para Madres opened at 28 E. Corral St., between Stone and Scott avenues. Sanger would continue her involvement with the organization which was also known as the Tucson Birth Control Clinic. Today Sanger’s legacy continues as Planned Parenthood of Southern Arizona.

Sanger died, on Sept. 6, 1966, in a Tucson nursing home. She was preceded in death by her second husband, J. Noah H. Slee. Sanger had a daughter, who died as a child, and two sons, who both became physicians.