Elizabeth Blackwell

Elizabeth Blackwell was the first female physician to earn a medical degree in the United States. The book The Excellent Doctor Blackwell: The Life of the First Woman Physician explains all the hardships Elizabeth faced through her journey to become a doctor. Elizabeth was a very strong woman who never gave up. Elizabeth Blackwell is famous for introducing the idea of women working in medicine, she grew up in a liberal household, was a force to be reckoned with, and she impacted how society thought of women. Elizabeth’s early life was all about the importance of education and liberal philosophies. Her and her family moved to New York from Bristol, England, her father moved them to America to fulfill his dreams of living in a democratic society,
She stood up for what she believed in, even if society went against her. She was not always a feminist, but she believed in equal rights for everyone, no matter what race or gender someone was. Elizabeth was a very strong willed young woman, which at that time was looked down upon. “Her will very strong-high minded and a great regard for her own opinion not disposed to trifle nor she will be trifled with,” (Page 25). The idea of studying medicine first came to Elizabeth’s attention when her friend was diagnosed with a gynecological disorder and said she would have felt more comfortable having a woman doctor. When Elizabeth heard this, she felt that she needed to pursue a career in medicine. At this time however, women could not just go to medical school, but she was so determined she student independently with doctors. In 1847, she was accepted to the Geneva Medical College in New York. During her time at school, she was gawked at by her peers, professors, and even patients who she met with, but she did not let that slow her down. “Many of Geneva’s citizens regarded her as a wanton woman, a freak and a traitor to her sex,” (Page 83). As she started to prove herself worthy of attending medical school, she started earning respect from others. After years of hard work, Elizabeth graduated on January 23, 1849, ranking first in her class. At this time, many
Since a child, she loved learning and participating in politics. I learned that no matter what obstacles come your way, you can overcome them by shear will and determination. I admire Elizabeth’s passion for women’s rights and how even after she retired from medicine she continued to spread the word on gender equality. What impressed me the most was how at first she wanted nothing to do with medicine, but then she fell in love with it. My favorite quote from Elizabeth Blackwell is, “If society will not admit of woman’s free development, then society must be remodeled,” (Haiku Deck). I want to follow how hard she worked and become more active in women’s rights. Elizabeth Blackwell will forever be known as the first woman doctor who changed the way people viewed women, seeing them as strong and