Rachel Brooks Gleason facts for kids
Rachel Brooks Gleason (born November 27, 1820 – died March 13, 1905) was an American doctor. She was the fourth woman in the United States to earn a medical degree. This was a huge achievement for women at a time when it was very difficult for them to become doctors.
Early Life and Education
Rachel Ingall Brooks was born in a small village called Winhall, Vermont, on November 27, 1820. Her parents were Rueben Brooks and Lucy Musey. She had two siblings, John Quincy Brooks and Lucy Zipporah Brooks.
When Rachel was growing up, colleges did not accept women. But Rachel was determined to learn. She taught herself a lot by studying college textbooks at home. Her husband, Dr. Silas O. Gleason, became a professor at the Central Medical College in Rochester, New York. He convinced the college to open its doors to women students.
Rachel Brooks Gleason studied there with her husband. She graduated with her medical degree in 1851. This made her one of the very first women in the country to become a doctor.
A Career in Medicine
After she graduated, Dr. Gleason worked for three years at a health center in Glen Haven, New York. She also worked for one year in Ithaca, New York. In 1852, she became the head of the Elmira Water Cure in Elmira, New York. This place later became known as the Gleason Sanitarium. She led this health resort for over forty years.
The Gleason Sanitarium was a special place that offered health treatments using water. It was popular with women from wealthy families. They focused on helping women with various health issues. The Gleason family sold the business in 1899. All the buildings were taken down in 1959.
Dr. Gleason was a very busy doctor. She had many patients from towns all over the state. She also wrote a popular book called Talks to my Patients: hints on getting well and keeping well. It was published in 1870 and was so helpful that it was printed eight times! After becoming a doctor, she gave talks to women about how their bodies work and how to stay healthy. She used special models and charts to help them understand.
Advocacy and Support
Rachel Brooks Gleason was a strong believer in helping others. For 25 years, she held Bible and prayer classes every Saturday. From a young age, she supported dress reform, which meant women should wear clothes that were more comfortable and allowed them to move freely. She also believed strongly in women's freedom.
She helped 18 women go through medical college. Most of these women relied on her for financial support. Many of them had been sick before meeting her. These students went on to become successful and skilled doctors. Before the Civil War, Dr. Gleason was also a dedicated worker against slavery. After the war, she continued to help schools for formerly enslaved people.
Personal Life
Rachel Gleason enjoyed teaching even before she became a doctor. She married Dr. Silas Oresmus Gleason on July 3, 1844. They had two children together: E.B. Gleason and Adele Amelia Gleason. Adele passed away in 1930.
Rachel Brooks Gleason died on March 13, 1905. She is buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in Elmira.
