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Mary Catherine Phillips (1903–1981) was an American consumer advocate, author, and member of the Board of Directors of Consumers' Research in
Phillips was hired by Consumers' Research in 1932. Her main area of work was testing consumer beauty products. She was a member of the Board of Directors from 1934 to 1980. In 1934, she wrote the book, ''Skin Deep. The Truth About Beauty Aids – Safe and Harmful'', about the cosmetics industry, using her initials, M. C. Phillips. The book was described as "entirely frank and fearless" in a review by '' The New York Times''. It was a best seller that year and provided support for the
Bowerstown, New Jersey
Bowerstown is an Local government in New Jersey#Unincorporated communities, unincorporated community in Washington Township, Warren County, New Jersey near the Morris Canal and the Pohatcong Creek. It was founded in 1829 by Jesse Vanetta and Micha ...
. She tested consumer beauty products, promoted safety for cosmetics, and wrote ''Skin Deep. The Truth About Beauty Aids – Safe and Harmful''.
Career
Phillips was hired by Consumers' Research in 1932. Her main area of work was testing consumer beauty products. She was a member of the Board of Directors from 1934 to 1980. In 1934, she wrote the book, ''Skin Deep. The Truth About Beauty Aids – Safe and Harmful'', about the cosmetics industry, using her initials, M. C. Phillips. The book was described as "entirely frank and fearless" in a review by '' The New York Times''. It was a best seller that year and provided support for the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
The United States Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (abbreviated as FFDCA, FDCA, or FD&C) is a set of laws passed by the United States Congress in 1938 giving authority to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to oversee the safety of f ...
passed in 1938. She later wrote the sequel, ''More Than Skin Deep'', in 1948.
In 1935, workers at Consumers' Research complained about working conditions, formed a union chapter, and subsequently went on strike. The Board of Directors, including Phillips, rejected negotiations and accused the workers of being Communists. The workers then formed a new company, Consumers Union, now known as Consumers Reports.
In the first issue of ''Consumers' Digest'' by Consumers' Research, January 1937, she was the associate editor. She wrote the magazine article ''Face Powders'' in 1938. In January 1939, she was the editor of the magazine, now published by the Consumers' Institute of America.
Personal life
Phillips was born in eitherClifton
Clifton may refer to:
People
*Clifton (surname)
*Clifton (given name)
Places
Australia
* Clifton, Queensland, a town
**Shire of Clifton
*Clifton, New South Wales, a suburb of Wollongong
*Clifton, Western Australia
Canada
*Clifton, Nova Scotia ...
or Upper Montclair
Upper Montclair is a census-designated place (CDP), unincorporated community and neighborhood within Montclair in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population for the CDP was 11,565.
, New Jersey, in 1903. In 1924, she received a bachelor of arts degree from Wellesley College
Wellesley College is a private women's liberal arts college in Wellesley, Massachusetts, United States. Founded in 1870 by Henry and Pauline Durant as a female seminary, it is a member of the original Seven Sisters Colleges, an unofficial g ...
. In 1932, she married Frederick J. Schlink Frederick J. Schlink (October 26, 1891 – January 15, 1995) was an American consumer rights activist. He co-wrote the book ''100,000,000 Guinea Pigs'' with Arthur Kallet, and co-founded the watchdog group
''Consumers' Research''.
Life and act ...
, co-founder of Consumers' Research. She died in 1981.
Works
* * * * *See also
* New Jersey Women's Heritage TrailReferences
External links
* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Phillips, Mary Catherine 1903 births 1981 deaths Consumer rights activists Wellesley College alumni 20th-century American women writers 20th-century American non-fiction writers Writers from New Jersey People from Warren County, New Jersey