Helen Walker McAndrew facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Helen Walker McAndrew
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Helen Walker
February 6, 1825 |
| Died | October 26, 1906 (aged 81) |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Trall Institute |
| Occupation | physician |
| Spouse(s) | William McAndrew |
| Children | 2 (including William) |
Helen Walker McAndrew (born February 6, 1825, in Kirkintilloch, Scotland – died October 26, 1906, in Ypsilanti, Michigan) was a very important doctor. She was the first known female doctor in Washtenaw County. Many people also believe she was the very first female doctor in the entire state of Michigan!
Helen's Early Life
Helen Walker was born in Scotland. Her parents were Thomas Walker and Margaret Boyd. In 1849, she married William McAndrew in Glasgow. Soon after, they moved to America. They traveled all the way from New York to Ypsilanti, Michigan.
Helen and William had two sons. Their first son, Thomas, was born in 1852. Their second son, William Jr., was born in 1863. William Jr. later became a famous educator.
Becoming a Doctor
When Helen lived in Ypsilanti, she first worked as a nurse. She learned many things about caring for people on her own. While her second son was still a baby, she decided she wanted to become a full doctor.
At that time, it was very hard for women to go to medical school. No medical schools in the western United States would accept her. So, Helen traveled back east to New York. She attended the Trall Institute. In 1855, she earned her medical degree (M.D.).
When she returned to Ypsilanti, things were difficult. Many people in the town, even those she had nursed, did not accept her as a doctor. They were not used to female physicians. Helen decided to help people who were often ignored. She treated poor people and African Americans in her community.
Her big chance came when she saved the life of State Senator Samuel Post's wife. Other famous doctors from Ann Arbor could not help Mrs. Post, but Helen did! After this, people finally started to accept her as a skilled doctor.
Helen believed in a treatment called the water cure. This involved using water for healing. She opened her own private practice. She even had a special place in her home called a sanatorium for patients. She also used the nearby Huron River for mineral baths.
Many people say that Helen Walker McAndrew was the first female doctor in all of Michigan.
Fighting for Change
Helen McAndrew was not just a doctor; she was also a leader who fought for important changes. She strongly pushed for women to be allowed into the medical department at the University of Michigan. She succeeded in 1870, which was a huge step forward for women in medicine!
Helen and her husband were also involved in several important movements:
- The Underground Railroad: They helped enslaved people escape to freedom.
- Temperance societies: These groups worked to reduce or stop the drinking of alcohol.
- Suffrage movement: This movement fought for women's right to vote.
Helen worked with famous leaders like Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony to help women gain the right to vote.
Helen's Lasting Impact
In 1931, many years after she passed away, Helen McAndrew was honored. She was named Ypsilanti's "Most Distinguished Business and Professional Woman." Her work opened doors for many women who came after her.
