Stuff You Should Know Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell, Feminist Physician
Apr 9, 2020
Explore the inspiring journey of Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell, the first woman to earn a medical degree in the U.S., as she defied societal norms and challenged male dominance in medicine. Discover her groundbreaking advocacy for women's roles in healthcare and the pivotal role she played in the feminist movement. Uncover the humor intertwined with her story as the hosts also discuss their favorite Ghostbusters films, creating a memorable blend of laughter and inspiration. Blackwell's legacy continues to resonate in the fight for gender equality in medicine.
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Elizabeth Blackwell's Background
- Elizabeth Blackwell, born in 1821, was the first licensed woman physician in America.
- Her Quaker family championed social reform, including abolition and women's suffrage.
Blackwell's Upbringing and Father's Paradox
- Blackwell's father, Samuel, hired tutors to educate his daughters equally with his sons.
- Despite profiting from the sugar industry, Samuel's children boycotted sugar due to its ties to slavery.
Blackwell's Motivation and Initial Aversion to Medicine
- Inspired by a dying friend's belief in female doctors' compassion, Blackwell chose medicine.
- This choice was remarkable, given her initial aversion to the human body and societal disapproval.