Blackwell was not initially interested in a career in medicine. She became a schoolteacher in order to support her family. This occupation was seen as suitable for women during the 1800s; however, she soon found it unsuitable for her. Blackwell's interest in medicine was sparked after a friend fell ill and remarked that, had a female doctor cared for her, she might not have suffered so much. Blackwell began applying to medical schools and immediately began to endure the prejudice against her sex that would persist throughout her career. She was rejected from each medical school she applied to, except Geneva Medical College in New York, in which the male students voted in favor of Blackwell's acceptance, albeit as a joke. Thus, in 1847, Blackwell became the first woman to attend medical school in the United States.
Life and Career
In 1871, Geneva Medical College was disbanded and was transferred to Syracuse University until 1950 when it became SUNY Upstate Medical University, which counts Elizabeth Blackwell among its alumni.
Blackwell's inaugural thesis on typhoid fever, published in 1849 in the Buffalo Medical Journal and Monthly Review, shortly after she graduated, was the first medical article published by a female student from the United States. It portrayed a strong sense of empathy and sensitivity to human suffering, as well as strong advocacy for economic and social justice. This perspective was deemed by the medical community as feminine.
Blackwell founded the New York Infirmary for Women and Children with her sister Emily Blackwell in 1857, and began giving lectures to female audiences on the importance of educating girls. She played a significant role during the American Civil War by organizing nurses, and the Infirmary developed a medical school program for women, providing substantial work with patients (clinical education). Returning to England, she helped found the London School of Medicine for Women in 1874.
Key Facts
- Born: February 3, 1821 in Bristol, England
- Died: 1910
- Field: Medicine
Legacy and Impact
The influence of Elizabeth Blackwell extends far beyond her own lifetime. She fundamentally shaped healthcare and human longevity, and her medical discoveries and treatments remain foundational to this day.
Though she passed away in 1910, her ideas continue to be studied, debated, and built upon by scholars and practitioners worldwide.
Elizabeth Blackwell remains one of the most celebrated minds to emerge from England, a testament to the rich intellectual heritage of the region.
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