THE VFA PIONEER HISTORIES PROJECT

Rose Kushner

June 22, 1929 – January 7, 1990

“We women should be free, knowledgeable and completely conscious when the time comes for a decision, so that we can make it for ourselves. Our lives are at stake, not a surgeon’s.”

Psychologist, journalist, author, advocate for women with breast cancer. Influenced elimination of “one-step” mastectomy option for breast cancer. Freelance journalist, medical writer, 1960s-1970s. Founder and director, Breast Cancer Advisory Center, Kensington, 1975. Author, Why Me? What Every Woman Should Know About Breast Cancer to Save Her Life, published, 1975. Founder, board member, National Alliance of Breast Cancer Organizations, 1986-1989. Appointed to Breast Cancer Task Force, American Cancer Society, 1989. Lobbied U.S. federal government to require health insurance to cover mammograms. Responsible for changing laws and medical practices, giving women alternatives. Received awards from American Medical Writers Association, 1980 and 1985. Received Medal of Honor, The American Cancer Society, 1987 and Courage Award, 1988. Posthumous recipient, James Ewing Award of Society of Surgical Oncology, 1990. Attended Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore Junior College, and Montgomery College, 1947-1951. Graduated with honors, A.B. degree, journalism, University of Maryland in 1972.

Photo. Rose Kushner testified on detection, prevention and treatment of breast cancer before the U.S. House Committee on Heath and Long-Term Care, 1985.