On the 23rd of January, 1849, Elizabeth Blackwell became the first woman in the United States to earn a degree in medicine. I have posted about the education of women before, particularly in medicine.
Elizabeth Blackwell (1821–1910) was a pioneering figure in the field of medicine and is best known as the first woman to receive a medical degree in the United States. Her achievements were groundbreaking at a time when women faced significant barriers to entering the medical profession.
Born on 3rd February 1821 in Bristol, England, Elizabeth was the third of nine children in a well-to-do family. Her family moved to the United States in 1832, settling in New York City. Elizabeth initially pursued a career in teaching but became increasingly interested in medicine, particularly after a close friend died from a lack of proper medical care.
In 1847, Blackwell applied to several medical schools but faced rejection due to her gender. Eventually, she was accepted by the Geneva Medical College in New York, where her admission was largely a result of a prank by the male students who voted to accept her as a joke. However, Blackwell proved her mettle and graduated with her medical degree in 1849, becoming the first woman to do so in the United States.
After earning her degree, Blackwell faced challenges in finding a position in hospitals due to prevailing prejudices against women in medicine. She eventually established a private practice in New York City and later opened the New York Infirmary for Women and Children in 1857, which provided medical care and training for women.
Blackwell was also an advocate for women’s rights and the advancement of women in medicine. She published several works, including “The Laws of Life, with Special Reference to the Physical Education of Girls” and “Medicine as a Profession for Women,” which promoted the idea of women entering the medical field.
In 1868, Blackwell moved to London, where she continued her work in medicine and education. She was involved in various health initiatives and continued to advocate for women in medicine throughout her life. She returned to the United States in 1875 and remained active in her advocacy until her later years.
Elizabeth Blackwell passed away on 31st May 1910, in Kensington, London. Her legacy as a trailblazer for women in medicine continues to inspire generations of female physicians and advocates for gender equality in the medical profession.