Radical Sisters: Shirley Temple Black, Rose Kushner, Evelyn Lauder, and the Dawn of the Breast Cancer Movement

There was a time when women’s health was marginalized. There was a time when breast cancer wasn’t discussed. There was a time when October wasn’t pink. But three women—Shirley Temple Black, Rose Kushner, and Evelyn Lauder—refused to be silenced. Their courage ignited a movement that forever changed the way society addresses breast cancer.

When these “radical sisters” were diagnosed, they faced a medical world rife with myths, outdated protocols, and a shocking lack of research. Breast cancer awareness was non-existent, and treatment options were limited. Yet, Shirley, Rose, and Evelyn—empowered by their own diagnoses—became trailblazing advocates for breast cancer research, early detection, and women’s health. Their efforts broke open the conversation and set the stage for a new era of breast cancer advocacy.

Radical Sisters, meticulously researched by award-winning biographer Judith L. Pearson, chronicles their powerful journeys. Taking cues from the women’s health and AIDS movements, these inspirational women demanded a shift in how society viewed breast cancer—not as a taboo, but as a cause worthy of public attention and action.

Today, more than 300,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year. They stand on the shoulders of these courageous pioneers, whose legacy has empowered generations to advocate for better healthcare, increased research, and greater awareness.