A Look Back at Margaret Sanger Art Contest Winners

The Margaret Sanger autobiography informs that "I accepted an invitation to talk to the women's branch of the Ku Klux Klan...I saw through the door dim figures parading with banners and illuminated crosses...I was escorted to the platform, was introduced, and began to speak...In the end, through simple illustrations I believed I had accomplished my purpose. A dozen invitations to speak to similar groups were proffered." (Margaret Sanger: An Autobiography, P.366)

When I read this account five years ago, I went on line to see how different artists and historians had handled this historic event. To my surprise, the event had been completely ignored. Something had to be done. The answer was the Margaret Sanger at the Ku Klux Klan Rally Art Contest. On January 16, 2005, our little art contest was born.

2008 Winner of the Margaret Sanger Art Contest was Rosary Films

2007 Winner of the Margaret Sanger Art Contest was Carrie Tomko

In a very close decision, Carrie Tomko won the 3rd Annual Margaret Sanger at the Klan Rally Art Contest. This was Carrie's winning entry:

Ms. Margaret and the Klan

There once was a woman named Margaret,
Who made Negro babies her target.
She longed to see less of them,
Courted the death of them,
Sanger, this woman named Margaret.

The wives of the Klansmen who meet
Disguised in voluminous sheet,
Gave her their attention
At secret convention
To learn of her childless technique.

Ms. Sanger was poorly impressed.
Elementary they are she confessed.
So childlike she found them,
Dumbed her talk down for them,
Sanger their arrogant guest.

The organization she ran
Has snuffed out more blacks than the Klan,
Yet people aren't frighted,
But rather delighted,
Embracing the Parenthood Planned.

The judges were greatly impressed by all the entries. Fellow judge, Jill Stanek, noted, "I could tell contestants worked hard to incorporate your theme. Very creative lot!"

A very, very close second place (and winner of the reader poll!) was Chris Chan and his poweful short play, "The Killed Story."

Third place went to Bill Hailey and his terrific poem, "Such a Loving Margaret Sanger." Be sure to check out more of Bill's work (and link to it!) at his blog, "Bill's Big Blog" - - great stuff!

Thanks also went to The Catholic Caveman and the unknown writer of Haikus for their strong entries.

Special thanks to our 2007 Margaret Sanger Art Contest judges, Sean Dailey and Jill Stanek.

2006 Winner of the Margaret Sanger Art Contest was Consanescerion

2005 Winner of the Margaret Sanger Art Contest was Registered