Elizabeth Blackwell

Elizabeth Blackwell was a British American physician. She was born in Bristol, England, in 1821. She became the first woman to earn a medical degree in the United States in 1849. She opened doors for women in the field of medicine.

Early Life

Blackwell moved to the United States with her family as a child. She was a teacher before deciding to become a doctor. She applied to many medical schools but was rejected by almost all of them. Geneva Medical College in New York finally accepted her.

Medical Pioneer

Blackwell graduated first in her class in 1849. She opened a clinic for poor women and children in New York City. She founded the New York Infirmary for Indigent Women and Children. She also started a medical school for women, helping many others follow her path.

Fun Facts

• Elizabeth Blackwell was rejected by 29 medical schools before being accepted.
• She graduated first in her class at Geneva Medical College.
• She founded one of the first medical schools for women in the United States.

Did You Know?

Elizabeth Blackwell was accepted to medical school partly as a joke. The students at Geneva Medical College voted to let her in because they thought it was funny. She proved them all wrong by becoming the top student.