You probably know how the medical field has changed throughout time but do you actually know who helped create that change? I was the first open women to receive a medical degree in the United States. Before I received my medical degree only men were physicians. Men believed women couldn’t handle seeing the body, and working to fix it. When I graduated medical school, I changed that. I may have grown up in a poor, humble family and worked as a low-level teacher, but my determination to receive my medical degree inspired many women to reach out of their comfort zone, and changed the medical field forever: I am Elizabeth Blackwell. My birth, childhood, and teenage years were vaguely normal for my beliefs and status. I was born on February 2, …show more content…
So much happened during those years, but it all has to start somewhere. After quitting my teaching job, I decided to visit my friend that was dying of uterine cancer(6). When I saw her I was overcome with melancholy. What she said next hurt me even more. She told me that only if I was a doctor I could have saved her. My friend died because she didn’t want a man to examine her, and try to save her. I realized thousands of women felt this way, including my friend; and from then on I was inspired to become a doctor(4). Although I had strong feeling to become a physician it was very difficult to find a college that would accept me. Most colleges thought I was either not fit or too fragile to become a doctor. I applied to about 40 colleges, but not one of them accepted me. Even throughout this difficult time for me, I found ways to still be studying medicine. I studied the human anatomy with many physicians, and that was very helpful, but it still wasn’t enough(1). I was overjoyed when I was finally accepted into a college, specifically Geneva College in New York. But the more I thought about it the more I got nervous(6). What if I was kicked out the first day? What if everyone disrespected me? But I threw away those thoughts and faced my fear of finally attending college. I remember the second I walked into my first lecture on the human anatomy the whole room went silent. I thought for a moment “this is wrong; I shouldn’t be here.” But then I remembered that this is what I want to be in life, so I will stick with it. I simply walked into the lecture and took my seat(1). The rest of the lecture went by in a flash, but was completely silent. I learned later that the reason I made it into Geneva was not exactly what I thought. The students were asked if they wanted me to be accepted, and they all thought it was a joke so they said yes. Little did they know that I actually
“The first woman in America to receive a medical degree, Elizabeth Blackwell championed the participation of women in the medical profession and ultimately opened her own medical college for women” (Michaels). Elizabeth Blackwell was the first woman to get her medical degree, build a hospital for poor people and train nurses during the Civil War. Elizabeth Blackwell was not interested in the medical field at all until she realized how some females were getting treated in the hospital and wanted to change that. Elizabeth then looked into the medical field to see how she could achieve her goal. A few years later, Elizabeth Blackwell completed great things, inspired and motivated other people to change the ways of humanity and stop inequality.
I decided to pursue a career in medicine when I was an adolescent. I scheduled a science-heavy course load in high school. Pursued a degree in Honours Biological Sciences. Shadowed a physician for two months. Graduated with distinction. Applied to medical schools and received my acceptance. My academic and professional career was already planned at the ripe age of fourteen. As the years progressed, my passion and interest in medicine waned. I was left feeling deeply unfulfilled. The career I was pursuing had ceased to be reflective of my interests. I struggled to procure the enthusiasm to apply to medical school, putting it off until I was in my final year of university. Every time I broached
Elizabeth Blackwell took a stand in 1847-1849 when she was the first woman to become a doctor in the U.S. She was accepted into Geneva College in New York in 1847. It was tough for Blackwell to get into a college because she was a woman and wanted to be a doctor. To be accepted into Geneva the whole school had to vote yes for her. The students treated it as if it were a joke but they said yes. In 1849 she graduated from Geneva and later opened a clinic, infirmary, and a medical school. In the mid-1850s she opened the New York Dispensary for poor Women and Children, in 1875 she established the New York Infirmary for Indigent Women and Children, she opened a medical school for women in 1860. Elizabeth Blackwell is known as the first woman in
“changing face of medicine.” She also wrote many informing publications such as, The Scientific Method In Biology, and the, Human Element in Sex. All that she had accomplished created a new chapter in medical history where women become apart of the healthcare professions.
If you think being a woman is hard these days, try being the only female in medical school in the mid-1800s. Women are not allowed to attend college let alone medical school, but the way has been paved by Elizabeth Blackwell, a recent graduate of Geneva College. Mary, at the age of 21
One women that beat the odds, and did what no woman has done before was Elizabeth Blackwell. “She was the first woman in the United States to receive a medical degree and she helped to break down prejudice against women in medicine” (Blackwell, Elizabeth). Elizabeth was born on February 3, 1821,
Pursuing her dream, Elizabeth graduated medical school with a goal of promoting the education of women in medicine in the U.S.. Dr. Elizabeth offered a practical solution for women being declined from receiving internships making her journey approach an end. Her heroic action showed that women are just as capable of graduating medical school as
About two months into scribing, I felt like this is where I belong, this was it. Since I was already enrolled in classes for the fall semester, I decided to start my new path in the spring, the path of becoming a Physician Assistant. My goal at the time was to work hard, take college serious and give back to the two people who brought me into this world, my parents. When I first attended college after high school I did not take it serious at all. I would use my time in college to hang out with my friends, I would tell myself I’m still young and in due time will get it all done. When I started my new path to become a Physician Assistant, I realized how important college was and from this point on would do what would be necessary to make up for lost time and poor grades. With me being human and not knowing what the future held, a turn of event took place in late summer of 2011. My parents were not getting along and decided to split
Many people think men are the ones to handle strong things like being a surgeon or diagnosing disease. According to 100 Most Important Women in the 20th century book, there is a struggle of women doctors/ nurses succeeding to become what they first intended to be. Virginia Apgar is one woman that went through this struggle. Clara Baton is another woman that is very inspiring and the founder of Red Cross. A more recent inspiring women doctor is Dr. Ronda Bondar. Not a lot of people recognize the historic women accomplishments and impacts as much as men’s accomplishments. All of these women made an impact some way, and not everyone takes the time to appreciate what females have done.
“If society will not admit of woman's free development, then society must be remodeled.” Elizabeth showed many people that you don't have to be a man to accomplish things. Elizabeth Blackwell impacted the citizens of the United Stated because she became the first woman to become a doctor, she also wrote many books about women's rights, Elizabeth made a school in 1874 for women to become doctors and pursue their studies just like her.
During the Civil War many women started becoming nurses to help the soldiers that were in need. It was not the easiest job to get though, especially for women. Elizabeth Blackwell applied for 12 medical colleges and was not excepted by any (Benton pg1). She eventually got excepted by a small school in Geneva, Newyork, and became the first women in America to get a medical degree. Women did not let them stop them, they were determined to help their men and blue.
When planning my pre-medical schedule at the University of Iowa, I found a first year seminar titled “Journey to Medical School.” All of the fears, ambitions, and everything I could think of regarding my journey to medical school was covered in the seminar. I left the class feeling terrified, but more than that, excited and prepared for what was to come within my next 8 years. One of the class periods was filled with the intellect of students who currently attend Carver Medical School. During that class period, I was mesmerized by the way the students carried themselves. They talked with poise and grace. Listening to them talk about how their journey was going made my heart putter – I was terrified, yet excited to continue on my own
The popular portrayal of American medicine greatly evolved over the course of the 20th century in many ways. In the beginning of the century, doctors were considered hero with magical powers to heal everyone through their knowledge. This can be shown in the "men in white" clip, where doctors are portrayed as the highest level and they take charge in the operating room. Also, only men were in the medical field because being a doctor showed more power and men were considered more powerful in that era (Not As A Stranger). As the years progressed, women joined the healthcare field as a nurse and more focus
The evolution of women’s rights and advancements throughout history is undeniable. The prejudice against women in the workforce and more specifically in the medical workforce is a prejudice that can easily be found till this day. The idea of gender roles, and the separation of women and the “male dominated careers”, still lingers even through decades of change in a developing society. Fortunately, certain women in history have forever influenced the way medicine works as well as how women are looked upon when studying in the medical field. Although there were many male physicians far before the first woman could even be considered to attend a medical school, there were many women that wouldn’t take no for an answer. Whether it was through an
I know that the road that I take to become a doctor is going to be very challenging; however I feel that my past has prepared me for taking on the challenge. As a student, I am an active participant in my academic and extracurricular activities. My first priority has always been to make good grades and learn in college. Although this is important to me, I also know that by participating in clubs, sports, and extracurricular activities, I will become a well-rounded student. I have been working hard for the last 7 years, operating as an independent, responsible adult. In that time I have constantly learnt from my life experiences and developed skills in both learning and life management. I am a very motivated person with goal setting, time management and prior skills that help me achieve what I aim to do.