Elizabeth Blackwell: Paving the Way for Women in Medicine

Imagine being repeatedly told "no," not because of your abilities or intelligence, but simply because you're a woman. That was the reality for Elizabeth Blackwell, a woman who faced rejection after rejection but refused to give up. In 1849, she made history by becoming the first woman in the U.S. to earn a medical degree. She truly embodied Maya Angelou’s words: "You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated." Becoming a doctor wasn’t something she had ever dreamed of, especially in a time when the medical field was so overwhelmingly male. But one day, a close friend of hers, who was very ill, shared something that stayed with her forever: "I would have suffered less if my doctor had been a woman." Those words struck her deeply, making her realize that there was a real need for women in medicine, and from that moment on, she knew she had to pursue it. 

Fighting for Her Place in Medicine 

In the 1800s, the thought of a woman becoming a doctor was almost unimaginable. Every medical school she applied to turned her away—some dismissed her outright, while others suggested she disguise herself as a man if she truly wanted to practice medicine. Then, Geneva Medical College made an unusual decision: they let the male students vote on whether she should be admitted. Believing it to be a joke, they voted “yes,” assuming she wouldn’t last. But they didn’t realize who they were dealing with. Once she was in, the challenges didn’t stop. Professors ignored her, classmates ridiculed her, and hospitals refused to let her observe patients. But Elizabeth wasn’t about to back down. Instead of letting the hostility get to her, she excelled. In 1849, she not only earned her medical degree but graduated first in her class, making history as the first woman in the U.S. to do so. 

Building a Future for Women in Medicine 

Even with her degree, hospitals wouldn’t hire her. She went to Europe for more training, only to be pushed into roles as a midwife or nurse—because that was what women were "supposed" to do. Frustrated but determined, she returned to the U.S. and took matters into her own hands. Along with her sister, Dr. Emily Blackwell, she opened the New York Infirmary for Indigent Women and Children in 1857. It wasn’t just about treating patients—it was about training future female doctors so they wouldn’t have to fight the same battles she did. In 1868, she founded the Woman’s Medical College, a place where women could study medicine without fear of being turned away. 

A Legacy That Lives On 

Elizabeth Blackwell didn’t just become a doctor—she changed the world. Because of her, women in medicine are no longer the exception. Today, nearly 50% of medical students in the U.S. are women. 

"If society will not admit of women's free development, then society must be remodeled." 

And she remodeled it. Her story is a proof that sometimes, all it takes is one person to refuse to take "no" for an answer—and in doing so, they open the door for thousands of others. 

Thank you to Jashanpreet Kaur from the ABSN 2024 cohort for submitting this piece.