Education
“It is not easy to be a pioneer -- but oh, it is fascinating! I would not trade one moment, even the worst moment, for all the riches in the world. “ ~ Elizabeth Blackwell
Elizabeth was rejected by all the major medical schools to which she applied. When her application arrived at GenevaMedicalCollege at Geneva, New York (Now known has Hobart and SmithCollege) the administration asked the students whether or not they wanted to admit her. The student’s, really thought this was a joke, so they decided to allow her admission to the once only men’s college. When they realized she was serious, students, staff and residents of Geneva were outraged. At first, she was not even allowed to participate in medical demonstrations, as she was told they were inappropriate for a woman. After some time and a lot of persistence on Elizabeth’s part the students began to accept her. They were very impressed with her abilities.
Elizabeth Blackwell graduated first in her class in January, 1849, becoming thereby the first woman to graduate from medical school. She was the first woman doctor of medicine in the modern era.
Elizabeth was very interested in the study of women’s medicine. She entered at raining at the midwives course at La Maternite in Paris. She suffered a serious eye infection, leaving her blind in her left eye. She had planned on continuing her studies to become a surgeon, but she had to give that up after the infection.
In 1851 Elizabeth returned to the United States. She decided to move to New York, but there hospitals refused to allow her to practice. At some places she was even refused housing and office space, That is when she decided to purchase a home in which she could open a private practice She began to see women and children in her home.
In 1853, Elizabeth Blackwell opened a clinic in the heart of New York City. Her sister, Emily Blackwell, newly graduated with her medical degree, later joined her practice. Also, Dr. Marie E. Zakrzewska, from Poland joined the ladies. Elizabeth had encouraged Marie’s interest in medicine. There practice started to flourish when some leading male physicians supported their clinic by acting as consulting physicians.
