Nellie Bly: The Journalist Who Raced Around the World

Imagine racing around the globe in just 72 days, armed with nothing but your wits and a small travel bag. Sounds like an adventure from a movie, right? Well, this incredible journey was a real-life feat accomplished by Nellie Bly, a pioneering journalist who changed the world of reporting forever.

Born Elizabeth Jane Cochrane on May 5, 1864, in Cochran’s Mills, Pennsylvania, our hero didn’t start out as “Nellie Bly.” She borrowed this catchy pen name from a popular song when she began her journalism career. Little did she know that this name would become synonymous with groundbreaking investigative reporting!

“I said I could and I would. And I did,” Nellie Bly once declared. These words perfectly capture her determination to succeed in the male-dominated world of 19th-century journalism. When most women were confined to writing about fashion and homemaking, Bly was out there exposing corruption and fighting for social justice.

Her journey began with an angry letter to the Pittsburgh Dispatch in response to an article titled “What Girls Are Good For.” The editor was so impressed by her writing that he offered her a job on the spot! This opportunity launched Bly’s career and set her on a path to change the face of journalism forever.

One of Bly’s most famous exploits was going undercover in a mental asylum. She pretended to be mentally ill to expose the horrific conditions patients endured. Her report, later published as “Ten Days in a Mad House,” shocked the nation and led to much-needed reforms.

“I have watched patients stand and gaze longingly toward the city they in all likelihood will never enter again. It means liberty and life; it seems so near, and yet heaven is not further from hell,” Bly wrote, giving voice to those who had been silenced.

In 1889, Bly embarked on her most famous adventure – a race around the world inspired by Jules Verne’s novel “Around the World in Eighty Days.” She completed the journey in just 72 days, 6 hours, 11 minutes, and 14 seconds, setting a new world record!

During her global trek, Bly used every mode of transportation imaginable – ships, trains, rickshaws, sampans, horses, and even donkeys. Her daring journey captivated the world, with people placing bets on her finish time and following her progress daily in the newspapers.

Nellie Bly’s impact on journalism and women’s rights cannot be overstated. She paved the way for future generations of investigative reporters and proved that women could excel in any field they chose.

“Energy rightly applied and directed will accomplish anything,” Bly once said, and her life was a testament to this belief. From exposing corruption to championing workers’ rights, she used her pen to fight for justice and equality.

Even after marrying millionaire Robert Seaman in 1895 and stepping away from journalism, Bly’s adventurous spirit didn’t fade. She became a successful businesswoman, patenting several inventions related to oil manufacturing that are still used today.

Nellie Bly returned to journalism in her later years, covering World War I from Europe and continuing to shed light on important issues affecting women. She worked tirelessly until her death on January 27, 1922, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire journalists and adventurers alike.

As we remember Nellie Bly, let her words echo in our minds: “I’ve always had the feeling that nothing is impossible if one applies a certain amount of energy in the right direction.” Her life story reminds us that with courage, determination, and a willingness to challenge the status quo, we can all make a difference in the world.

So, the next time you face a challenge that seems impossible, think of Nellie Bly. Remember the woman who raced around the world, gave a voice to the voiceless, and proved that a determined spirit can overcome any obstacle. Who knows? You might be the next forerunner to change the world!

Bidisha Ghosh, Staff Reporter