Radical Sisters

';The doctor can make the incision, but I'll make the decision.' Shirley Temple Black';I have a streak of stubbornness and a loud voice.' Rose Kushner';I believe that one must leave the world a better place than you found it.' Evelyn Lauder There was a time when women's health was marginalized. There was a time when breast cancer wasn't discussed. There was a time when October wasn't pink. But three womenShirley Temple Black, Rose Kushner, and Evelyn Lauderrefused to be silenced. Their courage ignited a movement that forever changed the way society addresses breast cancer. When these ';radical sisters' were diagnosed, they faced a medical world rife with myths, outdated protocols, and a shocking lack of research. Breast cancer awareness was non-existent, and treatment options were limited. Yet, Shirley, Rose, and Evelynempowered by their own diagnosesbecame trailblazing advocates forbreast cancer research,early detection, andwomen's health. Their efforts broke open the conversation and set the stage for a new era ofbreast cancer advocacy.Radical Sisters, meticulously researched by award-winning biographerJudith L. Pearson, chronicles their powerful journeys. Taking cues from the women's health and AIDS movements, these inspirational women demanded a shift in how society viewed breast cancernot as a taboo, but as a cause worthy of public attention and action. Today, more than 300,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year. They stand on the shoulders of these courageous pioneers, whose legacy has empowered generations to advocate for better healthcare, increased research, and greater awareness.