Learn about Sophia Jex-Blake, a young English woman who switched from teaching to medicine. The podcast covers her early life and struggles, including conflicts with her father over earning for teaching. It also explores her pursuit of medical education, encounters with influential figures like Elizabeth Garrett Anderson, and the establishment of an anatomy class to advocate for women's education.
Read more
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
auto_awesome
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
Sophia Jex-Blake transitioned from teaching to medicine, advocating for women's rights in education.
Sophia's early non-conformity and close family bond hinted at her future accomplishments in challenging societal constraints.
Deep dives
Sophia Jex Blake's Early Life and Education Journey
Sophia Jex Blake, an English woman in the 19th century, transitioned from teaching to a passion for medicine after a trip to the United States. Her pursuit of medical education led her to advocate for women's rights in education, notably being part of the Edinburgh Seven seeking medical degrees. Despite initial career struggles, she displayed a resilient and determined spirit, paving the way for future female medical professionals.
Family Dynamics and Personal Growth
Sophia's upbringing revealed her spirited nature, often challenging traditional expectations and social norms. Her close bond with her parents, especially her mother, showcased a loving yet tense relationship. Sophia's early experiences and non-conformity hinted at her future accomplishments in the face of societal constraints and personal challenges.
Educational and Professional Pursuits in the United States
Sophia's travels to the United States marked a transformative period in her life. Through encounters with influential figures like Dr. Lucy Sewell and Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell, Sophia found allies in her medical aspirations. Her determination to gain medical knowledge despite barriers at Harvard Medical School led her to establish an anatomy class for women, demonstrating her passion and commitment to breaking gender barriers in medicine.
Loss, Resilience, and Reconciliation
The sudden loss of Sophia's father reshaped her priorities and educational path, prompting her return to England. The emotional upheaval following her father's death underscored Sophia's strong family ties and reshaped her educational choices. Despite personal setbacks, Sophia's resilience and determination to pursue a medical career remained unwavering, setting the stage for her remarkable journey ahead.
Sophia Jex-Blake was a young English woman who initially pursued a career in teaching before she fell in love with medicine while visiting the U.S. Part one covers the early part of her life and education.
Research:
Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Sophia Louisa Jex-Blake." Encyclopedia Britannica, 15 Mar. 2024, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Sophia-Louisa-Jex-Blake
Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Elizabeth Garrett Anderson." Encyclopedia Britannica, 12 Feb. 2024, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Elizabeth-Garrett-Anderson
Drysdale, Neil. “UK’s first female students posthumously awarded their medical degrees in Edinburgh.” The Press and Journal. July 6, 2019. https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/1790307/uks-first-female-students-posthumously-awarded-their-medical-degrees-in-edinburgh/
Edmunds, Percy James. “The Origin Of The London School Of Medicine For Women.” The British Medical Journal, vol. 1, no. 2620, 1911, pp. 659–60. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/25285883. Accessed 30 Apr. 2024.
Campbell, Olivia. “The Queer Victorian Doctors Who Paved the Way for Women in Medicine.” History. June 1, 2021. https://www.history.com/news/queer-victorian-doctors-women-medicine
Kelly, Laura, Dr. “The 1896 ‘Enabling Act.’” Women’s Museum of Ireland. https://www.womensmuseumofireland.ie/exhibits/1876-enabling-act
“Life of Sophia Jex-Blake.” Somerset Standard. July 26, 1918. https://www.newspapers.com/image/806751302/?match=1&terms=sophia%20jex-blake
Lutzker, Edythe. “Women Gain a Place in Medicine.” New York. McGraw-Hill. 1969. Accessed online: https://archive.org/details/womengainplacein00lutz/page/n1/mode/2up
Ogilve, Marilyn Bailey. “Women in Science.” MIT Press. 1986.
“Sophia Jex-Blake.” Birmingham Post. Jan. 20, 1940. https://www.newspapers.com/image/784125734/?match=1&terms=sophia%20jex-blake
“Sophia Jex-Blake and the Edinburgh Seven.” University of Edinburgh. Jan. 23, 2024. https://www.ed.ac.uk/medicine-vet-medicine/about/history/women/sophia-jex-blake-and-the-edinburgh-seven
Todd, Margaret. “The Life of Sophia Jex-Blake.” Macmillan. 1918.