by
Aimee Murdock
English II
Mrs. Jones
April 26, 2013
Murdock 1
Elizabeth Blackwell Changes the World
Thesis: Elizabeth Blackwell positively impacted the health and well being of women and
children in the 19th century by becoming the first certified woman doctor, opening an infirmary
in New York, and establishing a women’s medical school.
I. Introduction
II. First certified woman doctor
A. Siblings died of disease and so she decided to be a doctor
B. Women were typically not doctors
C. Problems being admitted to medical school
D. Graduated in 1849
III. Opened an infirmary in New York
A. Her friend Mary’s comments
B. Male doctors and the medical treatment of women
C. 19th century healthcare issues
D. Her sister Emily helps her open it in 1857
IV. Established a women’s medical school
A. She was made fun of in medical school
B. School was used to train certified Civil War nurses
C. She was asked to do the same in Europe that she did her in the United States
D. Left infirmary and medical school for Emily to run
E. Specializing in pediatrics and obstetrics
F. Efforts helped the decrease of infant mortality rates
Murdock 2
G. Routine practices of today
V. Conclusion
Murdock 1
Amiee Murdock
Mrs. Jones
English II
26, April 2013
Elizabeth Blackwell Changes the World
There are now many women doctors all over America and the world. However,
Elizabeth Blackwell paved the way for all the women doctors of today. She was very brave and
never gave up. Despite the persecution of an anti-woman doctor world, she persevered and was
triumphant. Elizabeth
Cited: “Blackwell, Elizabeth.” Britannica Biographies (2012): 1. Middle Search Plus. Web. 4 Mar. Buckmaster, Henrietta. Women Who Shaped History. New York: The Macmillan Company, 1966. Cathy. Anand, and Amani. “Elizabeth Blackwell.” 1999. 1 Feb. 2010 http://pocanticohills.org/womenenc/blackwell.htm. Elizabeth Blackwell Timeline. Viewed 25 April. 2013 http://www.history-timelines.org.uk/people-timelines/21-elizabeth-blackwell-timeline.htm Hume, Ruth Rox. Great Women of Medicine. New York: Ramdon House, Inc., 1964. “Pediatrics.” The Gale Group Inc.. 2008. 6 Mar. 2010 http://www.faqs.org/childhood/Pa-Re/pediatrics.html. Schneir, Miriam. “Blackwell, Elizabeth.” World Book. B. 2 vols. Chicago, IL.: World Book, Inc., 2009. Wellness Dictionary of Minnesota. “The History of Medicine 1800 – 1850.” 2003. 6 mar. 2010 http://www.mnweldir.org/docs/history/history03.htm. 2002-9. 28 Jan. 2010 http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/articles/ushistory/elizabethblackwell.