Virginia Sterilization Act of 1924 The American Eugenics Society (AES) was a pro-eugenics organization dedicated to "furthering the discussion, advancement, and dissemination of knowledge about biological and sociocultural forces which affect the structure and composition of human populations".
The organization started by promoting racial betterment, eugenic health, and genetic education through public lectures, exhibits at county fairs, etc.
Physical appearance, behavior, intelligence, and health were just a few of the qualities that the AES looked at while determining the fittest family.
Additionally, the AES would sponsor displays and exhibits that featured statistics on the births of "undesirable" or "desirable" children at the fairs and festivals.
[7] To conclude, the display would argue that every fifteen seconds, a hundred dollars of taxpayers' money went towards supporting the mentally ill and undesirable.
These "judgements" were taken from each participants' medical records, occupation, education level, political affiliation, marital status, and religion.
'[8] The demographic of these medal winners were predominantly white, married, wealthy, educated, and non-immigrant individuals which promoted the AES agenda of ideal and perfect traits for "positive eugenics.
[7] Margaret Sanger, however, identified with broader issues of "health and fitness" during the 20th century eugenics movement, which were well-respected and popular amongst doctors, physicians, political leaders, and educators.
[12] Sanger continued to believe in and push for women's reproductive rights and encouraged those in political power to steer away from racially-motivated ideas or tactics involving the eugenics movement.
For example, Sanger "vocally opposed" racial stereotyping which lead to the passing of the Immigration Act of 1924, "on the grounds that intelligence" and other characteristics vary by individual, not by group.
The disbandment of the Society was ultimately due to limits on funding, member engagement, internal tensions, and public interest, or lack thereof, in eugenics.