Matilda Evans facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Matilda Evans
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Dr. Matilda Evans
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| Born | May 13, 1866 Aiken, South Carolina
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| Died | November 17, 1935 Columbia, South Carolina
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| Alma mater | Women's Medical College of Pennsylvania |
| Occupation | Medical Doctor |
| Known for | Established the first hospitals to treat African American patients in Columbia, South Carolina. Promoted healthy lifestyle and preventative care to the African American community in the early decades of the 20th century. |
Matilda Evans, also known as Matilda Arabella Evans, was born on May 13, 1866, and passed away on November 17, 1935. She was an amazing doctor and the very first African-American woman to be a licensed doctor in South Carolina. Dr. Evans worked hard to make health care better for African Americans, especially for children.
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Early Life and Education
Matilda Arabella Evans was born in Aiken, South Carolina. She was the oldest of three children. When she was young, Matilda often worked in fields with her family.
She went to the Schofield Industrial School. This school was started by Martha Schofield, a Quaker woman from Philadelphia. Martha Schofield became Matilda's mentor and helped her a lot. She even helped Matilda get into Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio.
After graduating from Oberlin College in 1891, Matilda taught for a year at the Haines Institute in Augusta, Georgia. Then, with more help from Martha Schofield, she went to the Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. A kind person named Sarah Corlies paid for her medical studies. In 1897, Matilda Evans earned her medical degree. She then moved to Columbia, South Carolina, to start her own medical practice.
A Doctor's Important Work
Dr. Evans opened her medical practice in Columbia, South Carolina, in 1897. She was the first African-American woman to do this in the state. Back then, it was very hard for African Americans to become doctors. Medical schools often did not accept them. Even if they got in, they faced a lot of unfair treatment.
The Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania, where Dr. Evans studied, was special. It was one of the few places that trained women to be doctors. At first, many people thought women couldn't be good doctors. But the college and its students proved them wrong!
Helping All Patients
As the first African-American woman doctor in South Carolina, Dr. Evans treated both white and black patients. People really needed her help. She had many wealthy white patients who paid her well. This allowed her to treat poor black women and children for free. She was very professional and respected by everyone.
Dr. Evans specialized in caring for women during childbirth (obstetrics), women's health (gynecology), and performing operations (surgery). At first, she even treated patients in her own home. This was because there were no hospitals that would let an African-American doctor admit patients.
Starting Hospitals
In 1901, Dr. Evans opened the Taylor Lane Hospital and Training School for Nurses. This was the first hospital for black patients in Columbia. She later opened another hospital called St. Luke's Hospital and Training School for Nurses. She ran this hospital until 1918.
St. Luke's Hospital was very important. It was one of the first hospitals in the country to have a school for nurses. This school helped train many nurses over the years.
Helping Children and the Community
Dr. Matilda Evans cared deeply about her community. She did much more than just run hospitals.
Community Projects
She started a community health group and a community center. She even helped buy and equip a swimming pool for boys, called Dr. Evans Park and Swimming Pool. Dr. Evans also adopted seven children and helped raise more than two dozen foster children! She taught them good manners and made sure they had a chance to go to college.
Health for Kids
Dr. Evans was especially concerned about the health of black children. She believed that everyone should have access to health care, just like they have access to education. She asked the State Board of Health of South Carolina to provide free vaccines for black children.
In 1916, she created the Negro Health Association of South Carolina. This group helped teach people about staying healthy. In 1930, she started the Columbia Clinic Association. This clinic offered health services like vaccinations and check-ups to families who couldn't afford them. She also founded the Good Health Association of South Carolina to encourage people to live healthier lives.
Important Roles and Service
Dr. Matilda Evans was a leader in many organizations. In 1922, she became the president of South Carolina's Palmetto Medical Association. She was the only black woman in the United States at that time to lead a state medical association. She also served as a Vice President for the National Medical Association.
During World War I, Dr. Evans volunteered for the Medical Service Corps of the United States Army. This group helped make sure civilians had doctors when many doctors were serving in the war. She was also a religious person and served as a leader in her church.
A Life of Caring
Dr. Evans was known for her kindness, compassion, and love for children. She often charged very little for her services. She would ride bicycles, horses, or buggies to visit sick people who couldn't come to her. She made sure children got physical exams and vaccinations for school, which saved many young lives.
She also ran her own farm, just like the one she grew up on. She even started a weekly newspaper called The Negro Health Journal of South Carolina. Dr. Evans never married. She passed away in Columbia, South Carolina, on November 17, 1935, at the age of 69. Richland Memorial Hospital in Columbia has an award named in her honor, celebrating her amazing legacy.
