Miss Sherri, Thalidomide & a Healthcare Tragedy

By Cynthia Bemis Abrams | 04/18/2017

Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams connects the dots between regional children’s TV, women’s health, and media’s invasion of privacy through the story of Miss Sherri Finkbine—Arizona’s Romper Room teacher and a pivotal figure in the Thalidomide tragedy. Examines how Finkbine’s use of Thalidomide for morning sickness triggered a medical and legal crisis. Recaps the 1992 made-for-TV movie A Private Matter starring Sissy Spacek. Details how the media frenzy complicated her ability to receive care in the U.S., ultimately sending her to Sweden. This unforgettable story illustrates how early television shaped public awareness around women’s healthcare, abortion, and agency. YouTube (Audio Only) link: https://youtu.be/UV5Jwq0ohbE?si=mWDWuvp18g1AZFuy