Emily Blackwell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Emily Blackwell, M.D.
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| Born | October 8, 1826 |
| Died | September 7, 1910 (aged 83) |
| Medical career | |
| Profession | Physician |
Emily Blackwell (born October 8, 1826 – died September 7, 1910) was a pioneering American doctor. She was the second woman to earn a medical degree from what is now Case Western Reserve University. She was also the third woman in the United States to become a doctor. In 1993, she was honored by being added to the National Women's Hall of Fame.
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Her Early Life and Medical Training
Emily Blackwell was born in Bristol, England, on October 8, 1826. Her family moved to the United States in 1832. They settled near Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1837.
Emily was inspired by her older sister, Elizabeth Blackwell, who was also a doctor. Emily wanted to study medicine too. She applied to medical schools, but it was very hard for women to get accepted then. She was first rejected by the school her sister attended.
She was accepted by Rush Medical College for a year. However, she could only attend for one semester. Finally, she was accepted into the Medical College of Cleveland, Ohio. She earned her medical degree in 1854. After this, she continued her studies in cities like Edinburgh, London, and Paris.
Building a Hospital for Women and Children
In 1857, Emily and Elizabeth Blackwell teamed up with another doctor, Marie Elizabeth Zakrzewska. Together, they started the New York Infirmary for Indigent Women and Children. This was a hospital specifically for women and children who needed care.
Emily took on a lot of responsibility for the infirmary. She managed the hospital and worked hard to raise money for it. For the next 40 years, she oversaw everything. This included surgeries, nursing, and keeping financial records.
She even traveled to Albany, New York, to ask the government for money. Her efforts helped the hospital become financially stable. Emily transformed the infirmary from a small rented house into a full hospital. By 1874, the hospital was helping over 7,000 patients each year.
Helping During the Civil War
During the American Civil War, Emily Blackwell played an important role. She helped organize the Women's Central Association of Relief. This group chose and trained nurses to serve during the war.
Emily and Elizabeth Blackwell also helped create the United States Sanitary Commission. This organization provided medical support and supplies to soldiers.
Starting a Medical College for Women
After the Civil War, in 1868, the Blackwell sisters opened another important institution. They established the Women's Medical College in New York City. This college was created to train more women to become doctors.
Emily became a professor of obstetrics, which is the study of childbirth. In 1869, Elizabeth moved to London. Emily then became the dean of the college. Under her leadership, the college grew. In 1876, it became a three-year program. By 1893, it was a four-year college, which was ahead of many other medical schools at the time. By 1899, the college had trained 364 women doctors.
Later Life and Retirement
From 1883, Emily Blackwell shared her home with Elizabeth Cushier. Elizabeth Cushier was also a doctor who worked at the infirmary.
Blackwell and Cushier retired around the year 1900. They traveled abroad for about a year and a half. After that, they spent their winters in Montclair, New Jersey, and their summers in Maine.
Emily Blackwell passed away on September 7, 1910, in York Cliffs, Maine. This was just a few months after her sister Elizabeth's death in England. Emily Blackwell's work helped open doors for many women in medicine.
See also
In Spanish: Emily Blackwell para niños
