Elizabeth Blackwell

NAME Elizabeth Blackwell

WHAT FAMOUS FOR Elizabeth Blackwell is renowned for being the first woman to receive a medical degree in the United States and for her pioneering work in promoting medical education for women.

BIRTH Elizabeth Blackwell was born on February 3, 1821, in Bristol, England.

FAMILY BACKGROUND Elizabeth was the third of nine children in a liberal-minded Quaker family. Her father, Samuel Blackwell, was a sugar refiner and an advocate for social reform, while her mother, Hannah Lane Blackwell, was a supportive and nurturing figure.

Her sister Emily Blackwell  also became a physician

CHILDHOOD Elizabeth's family moved to the United States when she was 11, settling in Cincinnati, Ohio, after financial difficulties. Witnessing her father's financial struggles instilled a strong work ethic in Elizabeth.

Her childhood was marked by a strong emphasis on education and social justice, influenced by her father's progressive views.

EDUCATION Elizabeth pursued her early education at home through reading and attending lectures, supplemented by private tutors.

Despite facing numerous obstacles and prejudice, Blackwell was determined to pursue a career in medicine and she wasn't about to let a trifling detail like being a woman stop her from becoming a doctor.  Medical schools across the land slammed their doors in her face with all the enthusiasm of a medieval portcullis, but Blackwell was as persistent as a barnacle on a beached battleship. Finally, in 1847, Geneva Medical College in upstate New York took a chance on her. All 150 male students voted unanimously to accept her, whilst simultaneously treating her application as a joke.

Blackwell tore through her studies like a terrier with a sock, graduating on January 23, 1849 , becoming the first woman to earn a medical degree in the U.S. She then hightailed it to Paris for some extra medical training, only to wind up accidentally squirting infected gunk in her own eye. This mishap dashed her dreams of becoming a surgeon, leaving her with the kind of vision that wouldn't win her any eye tests. 

CAREER RECORD  Elizabeth Blackwell faced significant opposition in her career. Here's her resume:

Graduated from Geneva Medical College in 1849 as the first woman in America to earn a medical degree

Established a successful medical practice in New York City, catering primarily to women and children

Co-founded the New York Infirmary for Women and Children (1857) - the first hospital in the US staffed by women

Opened the Woman's Medical College of the New York Infirmary (1868) to train women doctors

Became a professor of hygiene at the London School of Medicine for Women (1875)

Authored several books on medicine and women's rights, including "Pioneer Work in Opening the Medical Profession to Women" (1895)

APPEARANCE Elizabeth was described as having a strong jawline, piercing blue eyes, and dark hair She maintained a professional and commanding presence.

Portrait of Elizabeth Blackwell, c. 1850–1860

FASHION Elizabeth favored practical and modest clothing that wouldn't impede her work as a doctor., often seen in simple, dark-colored dresses.

CHARACTER Elizabeth was known for her determination, resilience, and pioneering spirit. She was a trailblazer who broke through significant societal barriers with grace and tenacity. She was known for her compassion and dedication to her patients

SENSE OF HUMOUR While Elizabeth's work was serious and groundbreaking, she was known to have a dry and occasionally sharp wit, using humor as a tool to disarm and educate.

RELATIONSHIPS Elizabeth maintained close relationships with her family, particularly her sisters, who supported her endeavors as well her sister in law Antoinette Brown Blackwell. 

She never married but had a deep bond with colleagues and friends who shared her vision for women's rights in medicine.

She had close friendships with notable women of her time, including suffragist and abolitionist leaders such as Susan B. Anthony and Lucy Stone.

MONEY AND FAME Elizabeth did not accumulate significant wealth, as much of her earnings were reinvested into her medical practices and educational initiatives. Her fame grew posthumously as her contributions to medicine and women's rights were increasingly recognized.

FOOD AND DRINK Elizabeth adhered to a simple and healthy diet, consistent with her views on maintaining physical well-being.

MUSIC AND ARTS Elizabeth appreciated classical music and the arts, often attending concerts and exhibitions when time permitted.

LITERATURE Elizabeth was a voracious reader, with interests ranging from medical texts to literature on social reform and philosophy.

In 1895, Blackwell published her autobiography, Pioneer Work in Opening the Medical Profession to Women. It sold fewer than 500 copies.

NATURE Elizabeth had a profound appreciation for nature, often finding solace and inspiration in outdoor activities and natural settings.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Elizabeth enjoyed walking, which provided her with physical exercise and a mental break from her demanding career. She likely enjoyed intellectual pursuits such as reading and writing.

SCIENCE AND MATHS Elizabeth's contribution to science was significant, particularly in the field of medicine. She was a firm believer in the importance of scientific education for women.

ACTIVISM Blackwell wasn't content with just her own success.  She tirelessly championed women's rights in medicine, fighting for their rightful place in scrubs and stethoscopes.  She even teamed up with her sister, Emily, to co-found a medical college specifically for women.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY In December 1838, Blackwell converted to Episcopalianism. However, the arrival of a charismatic Unitarian minister, William Henry Channing, the following year, changed her mind. Channing introduced the ideas of transcendentalism to Blackwell, who started attending the Unitarian Church. She also attended various religious services in other denominations (Quaker, Millerite, Jewish)

Elizabeth's philosophy was deeply rooted in her Unitarian beliefs, emphasizing moral responsibility, social justice, and the importance of education and self-improvement.

SCANDAL Elizabeth faced many societal and professional scandals due to her gender and unconventional career. However, she managed to navigate these challenges with integrity and resolve.

MILITARY RECORD Elizabeth contributed to the medical field during the Civil War by training nurses and advocating for sanitary conditions.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS  After graduating at Geneva Medical College  Blackwell decided to continue her studies in Europe and went to Paris. In Europe, she was rejected by many hospitals because of her sex. , When she the lost sight in her left eye, leaving her without hope of becoming a surgeon, she went to London, where she was permitted to continue her studies. 

Feeling that the prejudice against women in medicine was not as strong in the United States, Blackwell returned to New York City in 1851, only to be met with more slammed doors from established hospitals.  Being a female doctor, it seemed, wasn't exactly in vogue. So, she did what any self-respecting medical pioneer would do: she started her own darn hospital!  The New York Infirmary for Women and Children, staffed largely by women, became a beacon of hope for those seeking medical care without a side order of sexism.

In 1869 Blackwell set sail for England, where she continued to chip away at the granite wall of medical prejudice for women.  She even managed to snag a spot on the British Medical Register in 1859, becoming Europe's first modern female doctor.   

On November 4, 1849, when Blackwell was treating an infant with ophthalmia neonatorum, she accidentally squirted some contaminated fluid into her own eye and contracted the infection. She lost sight in her left eye, requiring its surgical extraction.

In her later years, she faced health challenges, including a severe stroke that left her partially paralyzed.

HOMES Elizabeth lived in various places throughout her life, including England, Ohio, New York, and later in Hastings, England, where she retired.

TRAVEL Elizabeth traveled extensively, both for education and work, visiting Europe multiple times to further her medical training and to advocate for women's medical education.

DEATH Elizabeth Blackwell died on May 31, 1910, in Hastings, England, after suffering a stroke that had left her mentally and physically weakened.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Elizabeth's life has been the subject of numerous biographies, documentaries, and articles celebrating her contributions to medicine and women's rights.

ACHIEVEMENTS Paved the way for future generations of women in medicine

Championed social reform and women's rights

Established groundbreaking institutions that educated women doctors

Dr. Blackwell was commemorated on an American postage stamp in 1974, designed by Joseph Stanley Kozlowski.