Elizabeth Blackwell’s Biography And Achievements

Table of Contents

Elizabeth Blackwell’s earliest years were marked by a difficult upbringing.

Her Journey to Making History

Blackwell’s History Making Medical Diploma

Accomplishments

Passing away

Additional Interesting Facts about Elizabeth Blackwell

Elizabeth Blackwell, Katherine Barry, and her adopted daughter

In summation

Women around the globe have challenged the status quos over time to achieve their dreams and live the lives they desire. Elizabeth Blackwell became the first American woman to be accredited as a physician. This marked a turning point in the history of medicine for women around the world. Blackwell faced numerous challenges early in her career as an obstetrician. But she persevered and was a role-model for others. Her home country, England, was a great place to start for female doctors. Elizabeth Blackwell’s childhoodElizabeth Blackwell (born February 3, 1821) in Bristol. Her parents were Samuel and Hannah Blackwell. Her upbringing was liberal in education, religion, as well as social ideologies. Both male and feminine children had equal educational opportunities. Private tutors were available to her, as well as other requirements that allowed her to grow in her abilities. However, her social isolation from her peers was a problem. The Blackwells arrived in the United States in 1832 and settled in New York City. Six years later, they relocated to Cincinnati in Ohio. Elizabeth Blackwell was born into a large family. Anna and Marian were her older sisters. Six of her younger siblings were Samuel, Henry and Emily. Her family was in financial trouble when she was young. Blackwell, her older sisters Anna and Marian started a school called The Cincinnati English and French Academy For Young Ladies. This was to help supplement their family’s income. Her Road to Making HistoryElizabeth Blackwell converted to Unitarian Church to fulfill her intellectual desire to improve her intellect. She began to study art and took part in religious services. While she was working as a teacher to help pay the bills, her passion for learning led her to pursue a relentless quest for knowledge. After witnessing her friend’s death, she became interested in medicine. Her friend noted that she would be more comfortable if she was treated by a woman doctor. Blackwell became inspired by the experience and began saving for medical school. In addition to teaching in Asheville and Charleston, North Carolina, she later worked as a teacher. Blackwell moved to Philadelphia 1847 in order to be admitted to one the Philadelphia medical schools. Her rejections came from all sides, many of them based on her belief that she was less intellectually gifted than men. Supporters advised her to move to Paris to study or camouflage her identity as a male. Both options were rejected by her. After submitting 12 applications, she was accepted to Geneva Medical College (now Hobart College), October 1847. She received unanimous approval by the 150 student-body. Blackwell faced many challenges even after being admitted to medical school. She was unsuccessful in her attempts to gain clinical experience in Philadelphia during summer holidays. She was finally accepted at Blockley Almshouse. However she faced some opposition from several young doctors who refused her help in caring for her patients. Despite the delays, she was eventually able finish her studies to graduate from medical school. Elizabeth Blackwell received her medical degree on January 23, 1849. This made her the first American woman to earn a medical degree. Blackwell’s History Making Medicine Degree. Blackwell moved to Europe with her medical degree in April 1849. There she studied pediatrics and obstetrics. La Maternite was a Paris-based maternity clinic where she first entered her training as a midwife. After she got an eye infection from an accident, her time at the facility ended in November 1849. After a lengthy period of recovery and treatment, Blackwell entered St Bartholomew’s Hospital London, 1850. She also encountered resistance. With the hopes of starting her own practice, she returned to New York City in 1850. Achievements In 1858, Elizabeth Blackwell and her sister Emily Blackwell founded a dispensary, the New York Infirmary for Indigent Women and Kids. This institution was unique in that it included women as both attending and on the administrative boards. Blackwell, a woman physician, became the first to be included on the UK Medical Register as a result of a provision in 1858’s Medical Act. This allowed foreign-trained doctors to legally practice in Britain prior to 1858. Elizabeth Blackwell founded the London School of Medicine for Women, which was established by Sophia Jexblake in 1874. Elizabeth Blackwell was later unable to exert much influence on the institution and was replaced by Sophia Jex-Blake as a lecturer for midwifery. This position she resigned in 1877. She was also credited with 17 medical journals, writings and other contributions to medical research. Scientific Method in Biology (1898), Essays in Medical Sociology (2002, 2002). DeathElizabeth Blackwell, although she was a retired octogenarian her activities were limited. In 1907, she fell down from a flight on stairs while vacationing in Kilmun. She was left physically and mentally disabled. After suffering a partial brain stroke in 1907, she fell from a flight of stairs while on vacation in Kilmun, Scotland. She was left partially paralysed and unable to walk three years later. Her ashes are buried at Kilmun’s St Munn’s Parish Church. Other interesting facts about Elizabeth BlackwellThe American Medical Women’s Association presents the Elizabeth Blackwell Medal every year to a female medical professional who has made great strides for the advancement of women’s medicine. Blackwell’s medical degree was over 100 years ago when the award was first established. Blackwell’s younger sibling, Emily Blackwell was also a doctor and the third woman to get a US medical degree. Emily Blackwell received rejections from several medical schools before she was accepted at Case Western Reserve School of Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1854, she graduated. The Blackwell siblings founded the Women’s Medical College at New York City in 1868. Elizabeth Blackwell with Katherine Barry, Her Adopted Daughter. Elizabeth Blackwell adopted Katherine Barry (1848), an Irish orphan. Barry received a good education, even though she was not allowed to pursue her own interests. Blackwell’s many journeys took her along and she stayed with them until her death. After Blackwell’s 1911 death, Barry moved in Kilmun, Argyllshire (Scotland) After Blackwell’s death in 1910, Barry moved in with her surviving Blackwells. She also adopted the name “Blackwell”. ConclusionBlackwell was not only a pioneer in medical practice, but she was also an outstanding author and social reform activist. She was interested and involved in numerous reform movements that were focused on ‘evangelical, moral perfection’.

Author

  • isabelowen

    Isabel is a 30-year-old educational blogger and student. She has been writing about education for over 10 years and has written for a variety of different platforms. She is currently a student at the University of Utah.

isabelowen

isabelowen

Isabel is a 30-year-old educational blogger and student. She has been writing about education for over 10 years and has written for a variety of different platforms. She is currently a student at the University of Utah.

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