Elizabeth Blackwell: Champion of Gender Equality in Healthcare
Nearly 70% of the global healthcare workforce today is comprised of women, with over 75% of US healthcare jobs being held by women (source). But how did that happen in what has been a largely male-dominated society for centuries? In today’s blog post, we will explore the life and legacy of Elizabeth Blackwell, the first woman to receive a medical degree in the United States and a champion for women’s rights in healthcare.
Elizabeth Blackwell was born in England on February 3, 1821. She was one of nine children born to an anti-slavery activist and had famous relatives, including an abolitionist and a women’s rights activist (source). Perhaps this is what encouraged her to advocate for equality in healthcare!
In her book, Pioneer Work in Opening the Medical Profession to Women (1895), Blackwell wrote that her inspiration to pursue medicine came after a dying friend said having a female physician would have alleviated her suffering. She consulted several physicians for advice on pursuing a career in medicine, but all of them told her it was impossible, as it was expensive and medical education was not available to women. However, Blackwell accepted the challenge and applied to all the medical colleges in New York and Philadelphia. She was rejected to all but one: Geneva Medical College in New York. The faculty allowed the all-male student body to vote on her admission. As a joke, they all voted yes, allowing her to gain admittance (source).
During her time in college, Elizabeth Blackwell faced much discrimination and overcame many obstacles. For example, her professors forced her to sit separately and locals rejected her for defying her gender role. In 1849, she became the first woman to receive a medical degree from an American school, finally earning her the respect of her classmates and teachers!
Blackwell continued training in London and Paris hospitals, where she studied midwifery and emphasized preventative care, calling out male doctors for not washing their hands in between patients. In 1851, after losing sight in one eye, she returned to New York City, where she had few opportunities due to discrimination against female physicians. In 1857, along with her sister and colleague, Elizabeth Blackwell opened the New York Infirmary for Women and Children, which provided training for women physicians. A decade later, in 1868, Blackwell opened the Woman’s Medical College in New York. This was done in collaboration with Florence Nightingale, another pioneering woman in healthcare! (source).
In the 1870s, as her health began worsening, she gave up the practice of medicine, but never stopped campaigning for reform (source). Elizabeth Blackwell’s passion for medicine and persistence in her fight for equality allowed her to overcome the depths of adversity. Today, she is recognized by medical professionals globally and the legacy she left behind continues to inspire young girls and women around the world.
By: Sailee Naik
Editor: Sreenidhi Saripalli
