{"value"=>"<p>The majority of the letters are from Edith How-Martyn, honorary director of the Birth Control International Information Centre (BCIIC) in London and, coincidentally, one of the first Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) members to be sent to prison. Also present are a fair number of letters from the secretary of the BCIIC, Olive Johnson. The letters of both women report Mrs. How-Martyn's travels in East and Southeast Asia, northern Africa, the Middle East, and Jamaica, with the goals of spreading birth control education and influencing public policy.</p> <p>The letters report conferences attended by Mrs. How-Martyn, and her reception by local public health officials and doctors. She mentions a meeting with Mahatma Gandhi on the subject of birth control in India. Also mentioned are debates on policy in Great Britain and abroad on the topics of sexual education in schools, alternative birth control methods, population management, abortion, sterilization, and the formation of marriage bureaus.</p> <p>How-Martyn also offered observations of political issues in the countries she visited, commenting on the reception of birth control advocates in Ireland, and by Catholics throughout her travels, the scandal involving Prince Edward and Mrs. Simpson in England, the activities of Hitler and Mussolini, conflict between China and Japan, and increasing tensions in the Holy Land.</p> <p>There were originally occasional newspaper clippings included in the correspondence, however these were separated at the time of original processing, and have since been placed in Series III. Printed material and scrapbook.</p>"}