Madame Restell

She was known as the “wickedest woman in New York” during her lifetime. A physician adored by her patients but despised by the moralizing populace sweeping mid-19th century America. She defied all social conventions of her era, she rose from an immigrant widowed single mother living on the lower east side to a self-made millionaire outbidding the Catholic Diocese of New York for an empty lot on fifth avenue. She not only provided abortions and birth control to women throughout the country but blatantly advertised her services in New York newspapers. She would have been celebrated for her American spirit if she had been a man. Unapologetically ambitious, a ruthless and savvy business owner, and a resilient survivor. But Madame Restell was not a man, and in addition, she provided services such as abortion and birth control that still divide American society to this day. Instead of going down in the annals of American history alongside men like John D Rockefeller, Andrew Carnegie, Cornelius Vanderbilt, and JP Morgan, the name Madame Restell has become synonymous with villainy, greed, murder, and corruption. 

Featured Guests: Critically acclaimed novelist Kate Manning who is the author of My Notorious Life, a fictional interpretation of Madame Restell’s life and world, and Jennifer Wright, an author and journalist who recently published the highly successful book Madame Restell: The Life, Death, and Resurrection of Old New York's Most Fabulous, Fearless, and Infamous Abortionist.

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