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
applause, little Dr. Webster rubbed his hands, the learned
curators and faculty nodded grave approbation at each other
upon the platform, and our Sis, descending the steps, took
her seat with her fellow-physicians in front. Now walks up
into the pulpit Professor Lee, with a large manuscript and
a solemn air, and commences his address to the graduates.
It was on the whole good; he gave it pretty strong to
Homœopathists, Hydropathists, Mesmerists, Thompsonians,
&c., and gave the ladies of the audience quite a lecture
for their encouragement and circulation of quack medicines,
informing them that they had better study a little the
principles of medicine before attempting to practise what
they were so profoundly ignorant about. At the close he
alluded to the novel proceeding which they had taken, and
the censure or imitation which it would necessarily create.
He justified the proceeding, and passed a most gratifying
and enthusiastic encomium on the result of the experiment
in the case of Eliz. He pronounced her the _leader_ of
her class; stated that she had passed through a thorough
course _in every department_, slighting none; that she had
profited to the very utmost by all the advantages of the
institution, and by her ladylike and dignified deportment
had proved that the strongest intellect and nerve and the
most untiring perseverance were compatible with the softest
attributes of feminine delicacy and grace, &c., to all
which the students manifest by decided attempts at applause
their entire concurrence. As the audience passed out the
Bishop came up with Dr. Hale, requested an introduction, and
spoke very pleasantly, congratulating her on her course, to
the great astonishment of the conservatives. As we walked
out of the church we found that almost all the ladies had
stopped outside, and as we appeared, opened their ranks and
let us pass, regarding E. with very friendly countenances.
Most of E.’s time was taken up till our departure next day
at half-past one o’clock in receiving calls from her few
friends.
The admission of a woman for the first time to a complete medical
education and full equality in the privileges and the responsibilities
of the profession produced a widespread effect in America. The public
press very generally recorded the event, and expressed a favourable
opinion of it.
Even in Europe some notice of it was taken, and ‘Punch’ showed his
cordial appreciation by his amusing but friendly verses.[5]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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