The unfit heiress : the tragic life and scandalous sterilization of Ann Cooper Hewitt

Resource Information

The work The unfit heiress : the tragic life and scandalous sterilization of Ann Cooper Hewitt represents a distinct intellectual or artistic creation found in Ripon Public Library. This resource is a combination of several types including: Work, Language Material, Books.

Label

The unfit heiress : the tragic life and scandalous sterilization of Ann Cooper Hewitt

Title remainder

the tragic life and scandalous sterilization of Ann Cooper Hewitt

Statement of responsibility

Audrey Clare Farley

Creator

• Farley, Audrey Clare

Author

• Farley, Audrey Clare

Subject

• Heiresses -- Biography
• Heiresses -- United States -- Biography
• Hewitt, Ann Cooper, 1914-1956
• Hewitt, Ann Cooper, 1914-1956 -- Trials, litigation, etc
• Involuntary sterilization -- History -- 20th century
• Involuntary sterilization -- United States -- History -- 20th century
• 1900-1999
• Reproductive rights -- United States -- History -- 20th century
• Socialites -- Biography
• Socialites -- United States -- Biography
• Reproductive rights -- History -- 20th century
• Biographies

Genre

• Biography
• Biographies

Language

eng

Summary

"At the turn of the twentieth century, American women began to reject Victorian propriety in favor of passion and livelihood outside the home. This alarmed authorities, who feared certain "over-sexed" women could destroy civilization if allowed to reproduce and pass on their defects. Set against this backdrop, THE UNFIT HEIRESS chronicles the fight for inheritance, both genetic and monetary, between Ann Cooper Hewitt and her mother Maryon. In 1934, aided by a California eugenics law, the socialite Maryon Cooper Hewitt had her "promiscuous" daughter declared feebleminded and sterilized without her knowledge. She did this to deprive Ann of millions of dollars from her father's estate, which contained a child-bearing stipulation. When a sensational court case ensued, the American public was captivated. So were eugenicists, who saw an opportunity to restrict reproductive rights in America for decades to come. This riveting story unfolds through the brilliant research of Audrey Clare Farley, who captures the interior lives of these women on the pages and poses questions that remain relevant today: What does it mean to be "unfit" for motherhood? In the battle for reproductive rights, can we forgive the women who side against us? And can we forgive our mothers if they are the ones who inflict the deepest wounds?"--

Assigning source

Provided by publisher

Biography type

individual biography

Cataloging source

DLC

Illustrations

illustrations

Index

no index present

LC call number

CT275.H5888

LC item number

F37 2021

Literary form

non fiction

Nature of contents

bibliography