Women's Heritage Trail

— Consumer's Research —

Mary Catherine Phillips, consumer advocate, author, and editor, joined Consumer's Research, a New York-based organization, in 1932. She married one of its founders, Frederick Schlink, that same year. One year later, the entire operation relocated to New Jersey. Phillips became a member of the Board of Directors, serving between 1934 and 1980. Along with Board Member J. B. Matthews, she was a major influence on Schlink and ultimately on the ideology of Consumers' Research. By 1935, the organization had more than 50,000 subscribers and nearly 80 employees. In addition to her role as an integral part of managing the organization, she specialized in the testing of consumer beauty products and wrote about it in her book Skin Deep: The Truth about Beauty Aids. In 1935, a group of disgruntled employees split and formed Consumers Union and moved to Washington, D.C. where they went on to publish Consumer Reports, the publication still in existence. The Bowerstown facility's function then became predominantly a laboratory for testing products.

"The aim of the organization (Consumer's Research) is to provide a clearing-house where information of importance to consumers may be assembled, edited and promulgated; and to develop an art and a science of consumption by the use of which ultimate consumers may defend themselves against the aggressions of advertising and salesmanship."—Taken from Mary Catherine Phillip's book, Skin Deep: The Truth about Beauty Aids.

(Inscription in the two boxes on the right) (Top box) Mary Catherine Phillips was a major influence on the ideology and management of Consumer's Research. Because of her integral role to Women's work in New Jersey, Ms. Phillips is on the New Jersey Women's Heritage Trail.

(Bottom box) The New Jersey Women's Heritage Trail highlights a collection of historic sites located around the state that represent the significant contributions women made to the history of our state. The Heritage Trail brings to life the vital role of women in New Jersey's past and present.

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