Ten Days in a Mad-House (Annotated)

In 1887, journalist Nellie Bly undertook a daring undercover investigation by posing as a mentally ill, homeless woman to reveal the horrific conditions at Blackwell's Island asylum. Her vivid accounts of neglect and abuse faced by female residents not only horrified the public but also catalyzed reforms in the treatment of the mentally ill. Bly's work is celebrated as a pivotal moment in investigative journalism, highlighting the power of the press to effect social change.