Quick Facts
- Elizabeth Blackwell
- Born: February 3, 1821 • Bristol, England
- Died: May 31, 1910 (aged 89) • Hastings, England
- Known For: The first woman to earn a medical degree in the United States, advocate for women in medicine and public health
- Emily Blackwell
- Born: October 8, 1826 • Bristol, England
- Died: September 7, 1910 (aged 83) • York Cliffs, Maine
- Known For: The second woman in the U.S. to receive a medical degree, co-founder of the New York Infirmary for Women and Children
Trailblazing Achievements
Elizabeth and Emily Blackwell didn’t just break barriers—they built a legacy. The Blackwell sisters were born in Bristol, England, into a progressive family that encouraged education and independence for women. Elizabeth was inspired to pursue medicine by a friend who wished a female doctor had treated her. Despite significant societal resistance, she became the first woman in the United States to earn a medical degree in 1849. She was admitted to Geneva Medical College in New York on a joke vote by her male classmates, who didn’t believe she could handle the rigors of medical education. But Elizabeth proved them wrong, graduating at the top of her class and setting a precedent for women in medicine.
Elizabeth’s achievement paved the way for her younger sister, Emily, who shared her passion for breaking down barriers in medicine. Emily faced similar obstacles, being rejected by multiple medical schools before gaining admission to Rush Medical College in Chicago. However, the college rescinded her admission, prompting her to continue her studies in Cleveland, where she graduated in 1854, becoming the second woman in the United States to receive a medical degree.
The Blackwell sisters teamed up in 1857 to establish the New York Infirmary for Women and Children, a pioneering institution that served two critical purposes: it provided essential healthcare to underserved populations in New York City and offered a place where women could gain practical experience in medicine—a rare opportunity at the time. Elizabeth’s vision and Emily’s dedication to clinical excellence made the Infirmary a groundbreaking institution. Together, they created a model of compassionate, quality healthcare that respected the dignity and strength of women patients.
In 1868, recognizing women’s need for rigorous medical education, the Blackwell sisters established the Woman’s Medical College of the New York Infirmary. Elizabeth, ever the visionary, emphasized the importance of preventive care and hygiene, while Emily ran the college and developed the curriculum, focusing on high clinical training standards. Their complementary strengths made them powerful in transforming women’s healthcare and medical education.
Controversies
While their achievements were groundbreaking, the Blackwell sisters held views that were sometimes at odds with their contemporaries and modern sensibilities. Elizabeth, in particular, had strong moral beliefs that influenced her approach to medicine. She was known for her conservative stance on reproductive health and often spoke about medicine as a way to uphold moral purity, which some critics found to be a limiting perspective.
Emily, meanwhile, was known for her unwavering commitment to high standards, which sometimes caused friction with others who perceived her as strict and unyielding. Both sisters faced criticism for their firm standards and uncompromising approach to the responsibilities of women in medicine. Still, they remained steadfast, believing that rigorous training and a high moral compass were essential for women entering the field.
In Their Own Words
- Elizabeth: “If society will not admit of woman’s free development, then society must be remodeled.”
Elizabeth’s unwavering dedication to societal reform shines through here. She believed that the exclusion of women from medicine reflected society’s flaws, not women’s abilities. - Emily: “We must never allow ourselves to consider that any barriers to our success are insurmountable.”
Emily’s words reflect her relentless pursuit of excellence and her belief that perseverance could overcome any obstacle. - Elizabeth: “It is not easy to be a pioneer—but oh, it is fascinating!”
This quote captures Elizabeth’s adventurous spirit and determination to forge a path for women in medicine.
Their Lasting Legacy
Elizabeth and Emily Blackwell’s contributions are foundational to women’s healthcare and medical education. Together, they established institutions that provided medical care and empowered and educated women, creating a ripple effect that transformed the field. The New York Infirmary for Women and Children became a beacon of hope and a training ground for future female doctors, fostering a supportive environment where women could excel.
Through the Woman’s Medical College of the New York Infirmary, they cultivated generations of female physicians who carried their legacy forward. Their influence reached far beyond the institutions they founded, setting a standard for compassionate, quality healthcare and advocating for a focus on preventive medicine. Emily’s dedication to rigorous clinical standards and Elizabeth’s visionary ideals combined to create a powerful model for women’s involvement in healthcare.
Today, the impact of the Blackwell sisters is celebrated as a critical step in the journey toward gender equality in medicine. Their legacy is honored in medical institutions, awards, and scholarships as a reminder that with determination and collaboration, the walls of any institution can be transformed.
Personal Reflections
Like many women today, I had never heard of Elizabeth or Emily Blackwell until recently, which is a shame. Women who moved mountains to change the trajectory of women worldwide should be celebrated and known. Elizabeth and her sister Emily Blackwell’s tenacity in becoming two of the first women to earn medical degrees deeply inspires me. I can only imagine the challenges they faced in an era when society didn’t see women as equals in the medical field. Their perseverance reminds me of our ongoing struggles in advocating for women’s autonomy and the necessity of respectful care in healthcare settings.
While Elizabeth’s vision and determination made her an outspoken advocate, Emily’s quiet strength and commitment to excellence were just as critical in creating a space for women in medicine. Emily’s approach was rooted in the power of practice and precision. She ran the New York Infirmary’s clinical operations and educational programs, and her high training standards became a cornerstone of their success. Emily reminds me of the importance of careful, quality-driven work in patient care and how impactful a nurturing environment can be for medical education. Her dedication to ensuring that women receive rigorous training speaks to the way she believed in the capabilities of women doctors, and it’s an example I strive to emulate in my practice.
The Blackwell sisters’ commitment to creating spaces where women could receive care and education resonates strongly with my philosophy. The Infirmary wasn’t just a clinic; it was a sanctuary where women could train, grow, and excel at a time when such opportunities were almost nonexistent. I strive to foster a similar environment of empowerment, informed consent, and trust for my clients and students, following in the footsteps of the Blackwell sisters, who built these spaces when the world seemed stacked against them. As I have said in other profiles (e.g., Ina May Gaskin & Mary Breckinridge) these pioneering women amaze me!
Today, it’s incredible to see how far we’ve come. According to the American Medical Association, women comprise approximately 50.5% of all practicing medical doctors in the U.S., with around 234,000 female physicians nationwide. The Blackwell sisters’ vision has come to life in ways they may never have imagined. Their combined legacy is more than just historic; it’s a model of resilience, innovation, and advocacy that we still build upon in healthcare today. The values they championed—rigorous training, preventive care, and respect for women’s capabilities—remain foundational pillars in the mission of modern healthcare.
Milestones
Explore More About Elizabeth and Emily Blackwell
- Wikipedia – Elizabeth Blackwell
- Wikipedia – Emily Blackwell
- “Pioneer Work in Opening the Medical Profession to Women” by Elizabeth Blackwell
- “The Doctors Blackwell” by Janice P. Nimura
- Elizabeth Blackwell: Trailblazing Woman Doctor by Gateway Biographies
Note:Full disclosure: I earn a small (very small) commission on any links in the article that take you to Amazon.
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