Louise Celia Fleming facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Louise Celia Fleming
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Dr. Louise Celia “Lulu” Fleming
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| Born | January 28, 1862 Fleming Island, Florida
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| Died | June 20, 1899 (aged 37) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Shaw College, Women’s Medical College of Philadelphia |
| Occupation | Physician, Missionary |
Louise Celia "Lulu" Fleming (born January 28, 1862 – died June 20, 1899) was an amazing medical doctor. She was one of the first African-American women to graduate from the Women's Medical College of Pennsylvania. Dr. Fleming was also the first African-American woman chosen by the Woman's American Baptist Foreign Missionary Society to work in Africa. She went there to help people and share her faith.
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Early Life and Education
Louise Fleming was born on January 28, 1862. Her parents were enslaved on a plantation in Hibernia, Clay County, Florida. Her mother had roots in Congo, and her father was half white.
When Louise was young, her father joined the Union Army. He fought against slavery during the Civil War. Sadly, he passed away after two years of service.
In December 1877, when she was 15, Louise became a Christian. This happened at the Bethel Baptist Institutional Church in Jacksonville. From then on, she dedicated her life to helping others and spreading her faith.
Louise went to Shaw University. She was a brilliant student and graduated as the top student in her class. This happened on May 27, 1885. After college, she became a public school teacher in Saint Augustine, Florida.
Missionary Work in Africa
In 1886, a group called the Woman’s Baptist Foreign Mission Society of the West invited Louise. They asked her to become a missionary in the Congo. She said yes and arrived in the Congo in 1887. Her station was in a place called Palabala.
In the Congo, Louise worked with girls. She taught them Sunday school classes. She also taught primary school subjects and English. She was dedicated to helping the community.
Becoming a Doctor
In 1891, Louise Fleming returned to the United States. She needed to rest and regain her health. While back home, she had a new idea. She wanted to help people in the Congo even more by becoming a doctor.
So, in 1891, she enrolled in the Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania (WMCP) in Philadelphia. This college was special because it was the first medical school just for women. It gave women a chance to become doctors, which was not common at the time.
Louise Fleming worked hard and graduated in 1895. She was one of 18 African-American women who graduated from WMCP by 1925.
Return to Congo and Legacy
After becoming a doctor, Louise Fleming went back to her mission in the Congo. She was the only African-American woman doctor in the country at that time. She continued her important work, caring for people's health.
In 1898, she became sick with a serious illness called African trypanosomiasis. She had to return to the United States for treatment. Sadly, Louise Fleming passed away on June 20, 1899. She was only 37 years old. She died at Samaritan Hospital in Philadelphia.
Louise Celia Fleming's life showed great courage and dedication. She helped many people as a teacher, missionary, and doctor.
Images for kids
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Dr. Louise Celia “Lulu” Fleming
