Nelly Roussel

As a Neo-Malthusian feminist, she advocated for birth-control in European as well as a number of other pro-women and motherhood positions within Europe's capitalist systems.

Members of the Neo-Malthusian movement, led by Paul Robin, believed that birth control held the answer to preventing natural disaster, poverty, and suffering by artificially regulating the population.

Following the performance of Louise Michel’s La Grève, Roussel and Véra Starkoff were involved in the movement to create a theater for the people that would advocate the socialist ideal.

[6] Roussel was married to Henri Godet, a French artist and sculptor,[1] who was very involved in scheduling her work, though he did not travel with her.

While anesthetics for child birth were ill-advised and not taught at the time, Roussel found Dr. Lucas, who was willing to work with her.

Roussel was not aware prior to or at the time of her birth, that Lucas' methods led to the death of many women and children.

Roussel was limitedly involved in the raising of her children, who lived with her parents and sister for much of their childhood.

[1] No matter marital, social, or maternal standing, she believed that women had the right to enjoy self-fulfillment in their life.

[7] In the years following World War I, her health worsened and she was diagnosed with many illnesses such a severe menstrual cramps, depression, and anxiety.

Nelly Roussel in 1896.