Here’s a brief from Library of Congress

Why Dr. Blackwell decided to study medicine

The 2022 Physician Speciality Data Report 

data showing more women enroll in medical school 

Graduation day for the first woman to earn a medical degree in the U.S.



“I do not wish to give [women] a first place, still less a second one – but the most complete freedom, to take their true place whatever it may be.”

Decided to study medicine after a sick friend believed she could have been treated better by a female doctor.

Admitted to Geneva Medical College in New York only because her application was believed to be a joke from the college’s rival school; she graduated at the top of her class.

: Returned to the U.S. after continuing her medical training in Europe. Unable to find a hospital willing to hire a woman doctor, she opened her own small clinic instead.

: Opened the New York Infirmary for Women & Children with her sister (also a doctor) to provide jobs for women physicians & medical care to the poor.

: Opened a medical college for women in NYC.

About 37% of active physicians in the U.S. are women, according to 2021 data. Specialties show a wide range of women to men ratios. For example, about 65% of pediatricians are women while about 6% of orthopedic surgeons are women. 

 2019 marked the first time ever on record that more women than men enrolled in medical school. 

On This Day

On This Day: Elizabeth Blackwell 

A few more good reads on Dr. Blackwell:

Here’s a brief from Library of Congress

Why Dr. Blackwell decided to study medicine

Why the school thought 

Quick. Concise. Nonpartisan.

Emily Hooker