Elizabeth Blackwell Awarded M.D. - January 23, 1849

On January 23, 1849, Elizabeth Blackwell made history by becoming the first woman in the United States to receive a medical degree. She was awarded her M.D. from Geneva Medical College in Geneva, New York, a groundbreaking achievement that paved the way for women in the field of medicine.

Background

• Early Life: Elizabeth Blackwell was born on February 3, 1821, in Bristol, England. Her family emigrated to the United States in 1832, settling in Cincinnati, Ohio. Blackwell was inspired to pursue medicine after a close friend, suffering from a terminal illness, expressed that she would have been more comfortable being treated by a female doctor.

• Challenges in Education: At the time, medical education was exclusively male-dominated. Blackwell faced significant obstacles in her pursuit of a medical degree. She applied to numerous medical schools and was rejected by all but one—Geneva Medical College in New York. Her acceptance was somewhat of an accident; the faculty, unsure of how to handle her application, left the decision to the all-male student body, who voted to admit her as a joke.

Key Events

• Medical Education: Despite facing hostility and isolation from her peers and professors, Blackwell excelled in her studies. Her determination and academic prowess earned her respect over time.

• Graduation: On January 23, 1849, Elizabeth Blackwell graduated first in her class, receiving her medical degree. Her thesis on typhoid fever was published in the Buffalo Medical Journal, marking her as a serious scholar.

Aftermath and Significance

• Professional Career: After earning her degree, Blackwell faced continued discrimination in the medical field. She traveled to Europe for further training, working in hospitals in London and Paris. Upon returning to the United States, she opened a small clinic in New York City.

• Advocacy and Legacy: In 1857, Blackwell, along with her sister Emily (also a physician) and Dr. Marie Zakrzewska, founded the New York Infirmary for Indigent Women and Children. This institution not only provided medical care to the underserved but also offered training and experience for female medical students and nurses.

• Impact on Women’s Rights: Elizabeth Blackwell’s achievements were instrumental in challenging the gender norms of her time. She became a symbol of women’s capabilities and potential in professional fields, inspiring future generations of women to pursue careers in medicine and other sciences.

Elizabeth Blackwell’s pioneering journey and her contributions to medicine and women’s rights remain a significant chapter in history, highlighting the importance of perseverance and equality in education and professional opportunities.