The first generation of women medical students faced an uphill battle, only fierce determination and ultimate competence—in other words, they had to be better than any of their male counterparts—could get them a foot in the door.
In 1870, 525 trained women physicians existed in America, far more than in most of the world combined. Most of these women weren’t practitioners of traditional medicine as we know it today, but the alternative practices of homeopathy, eclectic and botanical medicine.
The first woman in America to graduate with an MD degree was Elizabeth Blackwell. She was so frustrated that women had such difficulty obtaining medical degrees and hospital training, that she started an infirmary in New York in 1857, along with her sister, Emily and Dr. Marie Zakrzewska. Blackwell and her sister opened a medical school of high standards, giving women a complete medical education as good as that of the medical colleges of the day. Their rigorous curriculum included the first course in hygiene offered anywhere in the country.
In the nineteenth century participation for women in the medical profession was limited by law and practice during a time when medicine was professionalizing. But women did continue to serve in health fields such as nursing and midwifery, while gaining access to medical education and medical work.
During a time when women where routinely prohibited from attending medical school, they formed their own schools where women could be trained.
Here are a few:
1. Edinburgh School of Medicine for Women – founded in 1886
2. London School of Medicine for Women
3. Tokyo Women’s Medical University – founded 1900
4. Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania – founded in 1850 as Female Medical College of Pennsylvania
As far back as 1848, Dr. Samuel Gregory opened the first medical school for women in the world – the Boston Female Medical College. In 1850, the school was expanded and renamed the New England Female Medical College. Originally established to train midwives, the curriculum was expanded to provide a full medical degree. However, condemnation from the Boston medical establishment was swift. The group charged that women had insufficient stamina to deal with the tension of medical practice.
“Suppose physicians were as ignorant upon this subject as females now are; they would then be easily alarmed and incapable of rendering efficient and in case of emergency…the fact of being one of the stronger sex does not render one competent.” – Dr. Samuel Gregory.
http://homeoint.org/cazalet/histo/newengland.htm
And women did persevere, such as: Hannah E. Myers Longshore, 1819-1901, who was the first woman faculty member at an American medical school.
She received her degree from the Female College of Pennsylvania in 1851.
Elizabeth Blackwell, 1821-1910, first woman MD in America.
Mary Eliza Mahoney, 1845-1926, first African American graduate nurse.
All of these women and many more were pioneers pushing at the boundaries of a male dominated Victorian America in the nineteenth century.
My upcoming release, Cassidy’s War, features a heroine who longs to be a schooled physician despite male opposition.
For more on Victorian women in medicine visit these sites:
http://homeoint.org/cazalet/histo/newengland.htm
http://www.ajph.org/cgi/content/full/92/3/363
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_in_medicine
Wonderful to read about the women who fought many years ago for the right to practice medicine. We’ve come a long way since then. Good post.
Thanks, Callie! It’s these historical heroines who inspire my romance heroines. There’s so much to be learned from history.
Good post. 19th century medicine is a special interest of mine. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Thanks
Thanks and thanks for stopping by, Gina!
I remember reading about Elizabeth Blackwell. There was another old historical rnovel with a female doctor, but I can’t remember the title. Good book, though.
Oops. That’s supposed to be novel. That’s what happens when I type without wearing my contacts!
I haven’t read that novel, but I have researched Elizabeth Blackwell. And I know what you mean about the ‘oops’. Sometimes my fingers just go astry and I don’t realize it until I read the post back. lol
Very interesting post, Susan. I commend you for dong it. I always think of my great grandmother who got her medical degree in America in the 1890’s and then journeyed to China as a missionary doctor where she eventually founded a clinic that is a thriving hospital today. A delegation from China came to the United States to visit her descendants and make us aware of their appreciation and how much they honor her memory. She met my great grandfather, a minister, on board ship on the way to China and later married him, but only after he promised her medical career would not come to a halt. She kept doctoring but had a real challenge in the beginning in winning the people’s trust.
Women really were almost locked out of the medical profession. Even during the Civil War, women had to fight to be recognized as nurses and professional nursing schools for women didn’t exist until after that time.
But the women who fought their way into being recognized as physicians, and attending professional medical schools, had a long hard time fighting the prejudices of that era. They truly were heroines.
Interesting to hear about women who brought us to where we are today. If it weren’t for those diehards…
Isn’t that the truth! Look at what women went through to obtain the rights we take for granted today.
Women have fought hard for the right to do many things. This post reminds me of an episode of the Walton’s. Mary Ellen wants to go to college to become a doctor & the dean of admissions refuses to let her in the medical program because she’s a woman. She did not give up & finally got him to admit her.
drainbamaged.gyzmo at gmail.com
Hi, Nola! I’m sure that was typical. Women were supposed to marry and tend the home and raise the children. But the women who persisted were the ones who changed things for future generations.
Thanks for stopping by!
There’s a fascinating British series about a woman doctor and her fight during Victorian England called Bramwell.
Sounds intriguing, Beth! Is it a series of books, or a televised series?
Interesting!
What a wonderful blog! As a retired RN (of 26 years) and a current medical romance author for Mills & Boon (not historical), I found your information fascinating!
Thanks for stopping by, Lynne! Historical facts really do spin off ideas for historical fiction. I’ve learned so much doing research for my romance stories that I didn’t previously know. Those things that aren’t recorded in school history books.
I wold love to win this book and review it. It sounds interesting. Please enter me.
jrs362 at hotmail dot com
Thanks for stopping by, Jane! And good luck!
That’s very fascinating. I love reading and hearing about stuff from that era. Thanks so much!
-Amber
goodblinknpark@yahoo.com
Thanks for stopping by, Amber! History is fascinating!
Great post. I love learning more about strong women in history.
Suzi
Very Interesting! Wish I had more time to read about them!