Pioneer Work in Opening the Medical Profession to WomenBlackwell, Elizabeth
History
Pioneer Work in Opening the Medical Profession to Women
Blackwell, Elizabeth
Blackwell, Elizabeth, 1821-1910; Women physicians -- United States -- Biography
Wishing you success in your undertaking, which some may deem
bold in the present state of society, I subscribe myself,
Yours respectfully,
CHARLES A. LEE,
Dean of the Faculty.
15 Geneva Hotel.
This letter enclosed the following unique and manly letter, which I
had afterwards copied on parchment, and esteem one of my most valued
possessions:—
At a meeting of the entire medical class of Geneva Medical
College, held this day, October 20, 1847, the following
resolutions were unanimously adopted:—
1. _Resolved_—That one of the radical principles
of a Republican Government is the universal
education of both sexes; that to every branch
of scientific education the door should be open
equally to all; that the application of Elizabeth
Blackwell to become a member of our class meets
our entire approbation; and in extending our
unanimous invitation we pledge ourselves that
no conduct of ours shall cause her to regret her
attendance at this institution.
2. _Resolved_—That a copy of these proceedings
be signed by the chairman and transmitted to
Elizabeth Blackwell.
F. J. STRATTON, _Chairman_.
With an immense sigh of relief and aspiration of profound gratitude
to Providence I instantly accepted the invitation, and prepared for
the journey to Western New York State.
Leaving Philadelphia on November 4, I hastened through New York,
travelled all night, and reached the little town of Geneva at 11 P.M.
on November 6.
The next day, after a refreshing sleep, I sallied forth for an
interview with the dean of the college, enjoying the view of the
beautiful lake on which Geneva is situated, notwithstanding the cold,
drizzling, windy day. After an interview with the authorities of the
college I was duly inscribed on the list as student No. 130, in the
medical department of the Geneva University.
I at once established myself in a comfortable boarding-house, in the
same street as my college, and three minutes’ walk from it—a beautiful
walk along the high bank overlooking the lake. I hung my room with
dear mementoes of absent friends, and soon with hope and zeal and
thankful feelings of rest I settled down to study.
Naturally, some little time was required to adjust the relations of
the new student to her unusual surroundings. My first experiences
are thus given in a letter to a sister:—
Geneva: November 9, 1847.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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