Elizabeth Blackwell (3 February 1821 – 31 May 1910) was the first female doctor in the United States. She was the first openly identified woman to graduate from medical school (M.D.), a pioneer in educating women in medicine, and was prominent in the emerging women's rights movement.
Blackwell was born in Bristol, England, the third of nineteen children born to sugar refiner, Samuel Blackwell, and his wife, Hannah (née Lane). Blackwell could affo...
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Elizabeth Blackwell (3 February 1821 – 31 May 1910) was the first female doctor in the United States. She was the first openly identified woman to graduate from medical school (M.D.), a pioneer in educating women in medicine, and was prominent in the emerging women's rights movement.
Blackwell was born in Bristol, England, the third of nineteen children born to sugar refiner, Samuel Blackwell, and his wife, Hannah (née Lane). Blackwell could afford to give his numerous sons an education and also believed that his daughters should get the same education as boys, so had them tutored by the house servants. While growing up, Blackwell lost 6 of her sisters and 2 of her brothers. One night when Blackwell was 11, a fire destroyed her father's business. In 1832, the family emigrated to the United States, and set up a refinery in New York City. The Blackwells were very religious Quakers. They believed that all men and women were equal in the eyes of God. Due to their Quaker beliefs, the...
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