Harriet Clisby facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Harriet Clisby
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| Born |
Harriet Jemima Winifred Clisby
31 August 1830 London, England
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| Died | 30 April 1931 (aged 100) London, England
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| Other names | Harriet Walker |
| Alma mater | New York Medical College and Hospital for Women |
| Known for | founding of the WEIU |
| Spouse(s) | Henry Edward Walker |
Harriet Clisby was an amazing English doctor and a champion for women's rights. She was born in London in 1830 and lived to be 100 years old! She is best known for starting the Women's Educational and Industrial Union in Boston, which helped many women.
Contents
Harriet Clisby: A Life of Helping Others
Early Adventures
Harriet Jemima Winifred Clisby was born in London, England, in 1830. When she was eight, her family moved to South Australia. She had two siblings.
In 1848, Harriet married a sailor named Henry Edward Walker. She became a vegetarian in 1847. Harriet also enjoyed practicing gymnastics.
A Career of Firsts
When Harriet was in her twenties, she moved to Melbourne, Australia. There, she worked as an editor for a magazine called Southern Phonographic Harmonia.
She also teamed up with Caroline Dexter to create The Interpreter. This was the very first Australian magazine published by women! In 1858, Harriet even organized a special home to help women who had been in prison.
Becoming a Doctor
Harriet was inspired by a book about women's health. It was written by Elizabeth Blackwell, one of the first female doctors. Harriet decided she wanted to study medicine too.
She traveled to England and studied nursing at Guy's Hospital. There, she met Elizabeth Garrett Anderson, another important woman doctor. Elizabeth advised Harriet to train in the United States.
With help from a friend, Harriet went to the New York Medical College and Hospital for Women. She graduated in 1865, becoming a doctor herself.
Helping Women in Boston
In 1871, Harriet Clisby moved to Boston, USA. She worked as a doctor, focusing on homeopathy. She also gave talks about staying healthy.
In 1873, Harriet wrote travel stories about Australia for the Woman's Journal. This was a newspaper in Boston that supported women's right to vote. Her stories shared her early life experiences in Australia.
Founding the WEIU
In 1877, Harriet and her friends started the Women's Educational and Industrial Union (WEIU) in Boston. They wanted to help poor women, especially immigrants who needed jobs.
The WEIU had a big building on Boylston Street. Women could learn English, sewing, and how to make hats. They could also get free legal advice.
Later, the WEIU helped women find jobs. They offered training for jobs in homes and stores. They even started a credit union for women. The WEIU helped many women for a long time.
Harriet was the first president of the WEIU for a short time. She later served as vice president from 1882 to 1889.
Later Life and Legacy
After retiring from being a doctor, Harriet moved to Geneva. There, she started another group called L'Union des Femmes (The Women's Union).
She stayed active for many years, giving talks about health and spiritual topics. She continued lecturing even when she was in her nineties!
Harriet Clisby passed away in London in 1931. She was 100 years old. In 1930, people said she was the oldest woman doctor in the world.
Today, Harriet Clisby is remembered on the Boston Women's Heritage Trail because of her work with the WEIU. A street in Australia, Clisby Close, is also named in her honor.
