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
On the morning of the Commencement little Dr. Webster was _in
his glory_; he is a warm supporter of Elizabeth and likes
a fuss, and nothing could exceed his delight when he found
that the whole country round was sending in large numbers
of people, and that all the ladies of Geneva were turning
out _en masse_ to see a lady receive a medical diploma.
At ten o’clock A.M. the students met at the college and
marched in procession with music to the Literary College,
where they were headed by the Bishop of New York, Dr. Hale,
the dean, and the curators, the faculty, &c. Dr. Webster
was very anxious that E. should march in procession, and
sent down two messages to that effect; but E. very properly
refused. About half-past ten o’clock Elizabeth and I walked
up to the church—she was very nicely dressed in her black
brocaded silk gown, _invisibly green_ gloves, black silk
stockings, &c. As we ascended the college steps, Dr. Webster
met Eliz. and again urged the request, whereupon she told him
peremptorily that ‘it wouldn’t be ladylike.’ ‘Wouldn’t it
indeed? Why, no, I forgot—I suppose it wouldn’t,’ said the
little Doctor, evidently struck for the first time with the
idea. So it was arranged that Eliz. and I should sit down
at the entrance of the left aisle and join the procession
as it came up, and we then walked in and sat down. We found
the church, galleries and all, _crowded with ladies_, they
only having been as yet admitted; and of course when we
came in there was a general stir and murmur, and everybody
turned to look at us. By the time the procession came up,
all the pews, except those reserved for students, were
filled, and the gentlemen had to pour in afterwards and take
the aisles, &c. When the procession entered, Mr. Field,
a very pleasant, gentlemanly fellow-graduate, offered his
arm, and all the class took their seats together in front
of the stage. After a short discourse by Dr. Hale, the
President, the diplomas were conferred—four being called
up at a time—and, ascending the steps to the platform, the
President, addressed them in a Latin formula, taking off
his hat, but remaining seated, and so handed them their
diplomas, which they received with a bow and retired.
Elizabeth was left to the last and called up alone. The
President taking off his hat, rose, and addressing her in the
same formula, substituting _Domina_ for _Domine_, presented
her the diploma, whereupon our Sis, who had walked up and
stood before him with much dignity, bowed and half turned to
retire, but suddenly turning back replied: ‘Sir, I thank you;
by the help of the Most High it shall be the effort of my
life to shed honour upon your diploma;’ whereupon she bowed
and the President bowed, the audience gave manifestations of
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