elizabeth packard (1816-1897) was deemed insane by her husband as she did not agree with his conservative political views. in illinois at the time, involuntary admission to an asylum did not require a public hearing so long as it was a husband admitting his wife. due to this, packard was institutionalized though she saw herself to be sane. in packard’s lifetime to be labeled as ‘mad’ was a form of social disapproval. however, she felt solidarity among mad people due to her experience in the institution. though she did not personally identify as mad and had to identify as ‘sane’ in order to be an activist, it is here that we see early forms of organizing from ex-patients.