3-057-473 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Printed slip advertising the Mothers' Clinic for Constructive Birth Control, London, (c1932?). Marie Stopes (1880-1958) - British author, palaeobotanist and campaigner for eugenics and women's rights - founded the first birth control clinic in 'the British Empire' in 1921. This printed slip was produced for doctors and health workers to give to patients, advising them of the clinic's work. In order to make advice on birth control available in working class areas and rural districts, Dr Stopes also established mobile clinics in caravans. 'Both to spare your own personal distress and to avoid bringing a weakly child into the world, it is important that all should realize that no one should conceive in times of individual misery or ill-health. Of course, wherever a child is already on the way, the best must be made of it. But sound and wholesome methods of Birth Control (Control of Conception) are known and advice will be given free by a qualified nurse to all married persons who present this slip at the Mothers' Clinic (the First and only FREE Clinic), 108, Whitfield Street, Tottenham Court Road, W.1.'. Stopes made significant contributions to plant paleontology and coal classification, and was the first female academic on the faculty of the University of Manchester.