Women in White Coats

Key Takeaways

1. Women's forgotten history in medicine spans centuries

"Women have delivered healthcare across the globe for centuries as herbalists, healer-priestesses, shamans, apothecaries, healers, wise women, witch doctors, diviners, surgeons, nurses, and midwives."

Ancient roots. Women's involvement in medicine dates back to ancient civilizations. Notable figures include Agnodice, a 4th century BCE Athenian physician, and Alessandra Giliani, a 14th century Italian prosector who developed groundbreaking anatomical preservation techniques.

Medieval era. During the Middle Ages, nuns became primary practitioners of healing arts, tending to medicinal herb gardens and nursing ill villagers. Convents essentially functioned as proto-hospitals. However, the professionalization of medicine in the 13th century led to women's exclusion from formal medical education and practice.

Witch hunts. Between 1400 and 1700, the Catholic and Lutheran churches executed a campaign to eliminate wise women healers, branding them as witches. This resulted in the deaths of over 100,000 women healers, severely impacting women's role in healthcare for centuries to come.

2. Elizabeth Blackwell becomes America's first woman doctor

"I hate everything connected with the body and could not bear the sight of a medical book. The very thought of dwelling on the physical structure of the body and its various ailments fills me with disgust."

Unlikely beginnings. Elizabeth Blackwell's journey to becoming a doctor began with a dying friend's suggestion. Initially repulsed by the idea, Blackwell's determination to prove women's capabilities in medicine overcame her initial aversion.

Overcoming obstacles. Blackwell faced numerous rejections from medical schools before being accepted at Geneva Medical College in New York. She graduated top of her class in 1849, becoming the first woman to receive a medical degree in the United States.

Pioneering spirit. After graduation, Blackwell pursued further training in Paris and London. She established the New York Infirmary for Women and Children in 1857, providing medical care to poor women and children while offering training opportunities for aspiring women doctors.

3. Lizzie Garrett Anderson paves the way for British women in medicine

"I must have this or something else; I cannot live without some real work."

Determined pursuit. Elizabeth Garrett Anderson, inspired by Blackwell's example, embarked on a quest to become Britain's first woman doctor. She faced numerous rejections but persevered, piecing together a medical education through private tutoring and hospital experience.

Strategic approach. Garrett Anderson found a loophole in the Society of Apothecaries' regulations, allowing her to qualify as a licentiate in 1865. She later obtained an MD from the University of Paris, becoming the first woman on the British Medical Register.

Institutional impact. In 1866, Garrett Anderson opened the St. Mary's Dispensary for Women and Children in London, which later evolved into the New Hospital for Women. She also played a crucial role in establishing the London School of Medicine for Women in 1874.

4. Sophia Jex-Blake leads the charge for medical education in Edinburgh

"I do indeed congratulate you undergraduates with all my heart. It seems to me the grandest success that women have yet achieved in England; it is the great broad principle established that conducts to every noble progress."

Edinburgh campaign. Sophia Jex-Blake spearheaded the fight for women's admission to medical studies at the University of Edinburgh. In 1869, she and six other women became the first female matriculated students at a British university.

The Edinburgh Seven. Jex-Blake and her fellow students faced intense opposition from male students and faculty. The "Surgeons' Hall Riot" of 1870 brought national attention to their cause, garnering both support and criticism.

Legacy of persistence. Although the Edinburgh Seven were ultimately denied degrees, their efforts paved the way for future reforms. Jex-Blake went on to establish the London School of Medicine for Women and later the Edinburgh School of Medicine for Women.

5. Overcoming societal prejudice and institutional barriers

"The whole idea is disgusting! I could not entertain it for a moment."

Cultural resistance. Women pursuing medical careers faced deep-seated prejudice from society and the medical establishment. Common arguments against women doctors included:

• Lack of physical strength and mental capacity
• Unsuitability for the "indelicate" nature of medical work
• Disruption of social norms and family roles

Institutional obstacles. Universities and medical societies actively worked to exclude women:

• Refusing admission to medical schools
• Denying access to clinical training in hospitals
• Excluding women from professional organizations and conferences

Overcoming stereotypes. The pioneers had to prove that women could handle the rigors of medical education and practice without compromising their femininity or moral character. They demonstrated that women doctors could provide valuable care, especially to female patients who were often uncomfortable with male physicians.

6. Establishing women's medical schools and hospitals

"We have been facing these two perpendicular cliffs—money and skill—for fifteen years, and striving in every possible way to climb them. Little by little, however, we have laid one stone upon another, until we have gained a foundation sufficient to stand on."

Creating opportunities. Faced with exclusion from existing institutions, women doctors established their own medical schools and hospitals:

• New England Female Medical College (1848)
• Women's Medical College of Pennsylvania (1850)
• New York Infirmary for Women and Children (1857)
• London School of Medicine for Women (1874)

Comprehensive education. These institutions aimed to provide rigorous medical training comparable to men's schools, often emphasizing practical experience and clinical training.

Serving communities. Women's hospitals not only provided training grounds for female doctors but also addressed unmet healthcare needs, particularly for poor women and children who often lacked access to quality medical care.

7. The lasting impact of these pioneering women doctors

"I do not consider the time wasted. It seems to me that it is greatly due to the struggle in Edinburgh that it is now possible for women to obtain a fully qualifying medical education."

Opening doors. The efforts of Blackwell, Garrett Anderson, Jex-Blake, and others gradually led to the acceptance of women in medical education and practice:

• By 1900, there were over 7,000 women doctors in the United States
• Most British medical schools began admitting women by the early 20th century

Advancing women's health. Women doctors made significant contributions to:

• Obstetrics and gynecology
• Pediatrics
• Public health and preventive medicine
• Medical research and education

Ongoing legacy. The pioneering work of these women laid the foundation for future generations of female medical professionals:

• In 2019, women became the majority of U.S. medical school enrollees for the first time
• Recent research suggests that patients treated by women doctors have better outcomes in some areas
• Women continue to make important contributions to medical research and practice across all specialties

Last updated: January 24, 2025

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