Titanic | Volunteer Resources

Heroine of the Titanic

The Titanic disaster afforded Margaret Tobin Brown a pivotal chance to step back and evaluate the purpose and direction of her life. What she had witnessed had shaken her, but also had done more than just allow her a chance to survive. She responded with action, and her convictions were stronger than ever. Her political involvement blossomed into maritime reform, the rights of workers, children's rights, further involvement in suffragism, and renewed involvement in feminism. The publicity attending her Titanic experience provided her with a ready platform to voice her concerns.

Following the events of the Titanic, Margaret documented her experiences aboard the fateful ship for the Newport Herald. You may read her full account here.

Margaret was interviewed multiple times in the weeks after the sinking about her experience--the first time while still on the rescue ship Carpathia. Over time you can slowly see details of her story change. There are two key things that never change.

1. She was passionate about nursing and caring for the survivors on Carpathia.

On Carpathia:
- “I was saved. God knows I can do little enough to save these poor souls around me that are out of their senses… How can you expect me to leave these suffering people when my own life has been spared? Tomorrow morning I’ll leave – and not before.”
- “…I have collected $7,000 for the dead, and before I leave the Carpathia in the morning I expect to have it raised to $10,000. This money will go to my patients’ relatives and toward the burial of those that died in this little room.”
At the Ritz:
- Speaking German with a Russian woman, comforting her: “Be brave, dear. I will always be your friend.”
- “In spite of all the horrors of this experience, I have gained so much, for I have won friendship and I’ve been able to help other women.”
Back in Denver:
- “I simply did my duty as I saw it. I knew that I was healthy and strong and was able to nurse the suffering. I am sure that there was nothing I did throughout the whole affair that any one else wouldn’t have done.”

2. She was passionate about the injustice of the inequality of maritime law

At the Ritz:
- “Those [men] who were saved almost apologized as though the caring for themselves in such a case was a blight on their manhood.”
- “If the women ask for equal rights on land, they should concede equal rights at sea.”
Back in Denver, unknown date:
- “…men should have equal opportunity with the women to save their lives.”
- “The women should take the initiative and petition congress to use its power in this direction. The women of Colorado should lead the movement and ask their sex the world over to join hands with them”
- “When disasters occur on land we don’t despise the men who are saved. When a theater is burning we do not hear the cry ‘Women and children first.’”