Getting a Degree
In Blackwell's time, it was very uncommon for women to actively seek careers of any kind, so getting an education for a career in medicine was not an easy experience. Blackwell applied to several well known colleges in both Philadelphia and New York. Not one of these accepted her or even gave her an impression that her goal was probable or possible.
"The fear of successful rivalry which at that time often existed in the medical mind was expressed by the dean of one of the smaller schools, who frankly replied to the application, 'You cannot expect us to furnish you with a stick to break our heads with;' so revolutionary seemed the attempt of a woman to leave a subordinate position and seek to obtain a complete medical education." (Blackwell, pg. 61)
Despite Blackwell's feelings of desperation, she applied to several smaller schools in New York, "county schools". Blackwell was accepted to the Geneva University Geneva Medical College in 1847 after a vote by all of the then current students of the class Blackwell would be a part of. Through her first year at Geneva, Elizabeth Blackwell felt no real discrimination by any of her peers, and enjoyed the experience.
"The fear of successful rivalry which at that time often existed in the medical mind was expressed by the dean of one of the smaller schools, who frankly replied to the application, 'You cannot expect us to furnish you with a stick to break our heads with;' so revolutionary seemed the attempt of a woman to leave a subordinate position and seek to obtain a complete medical education." (Blackwell, pg. 61)
Despite Blackwell's feelings of desperation, she applied to several smaller schools in New York, "county schools". Blackwell was accepted to the Geneva University Geneva Medical College in 1847 after a vote by all of the then current students of the class Blackwell would be a part of. Through her first year at Geneva, Elizabeth Blackwell felt no real discrimination by any of her peers, and enjoyed the experience.
In the continuation of her education, Blackwell studied and worked at the Blockley Almshouse in Philadelphia, gaining first-hand medical expertise. She then returned to another year at Geneva after which she graduated, becoming the first woman with a medical degree in the United States. Already, Blackwell was becoming a leader of medicine, women, and society.
"This event will stand here-after as a memorable example of what women can undertake and accomplish, too, when stimulated by the love of science and a noble spirit of philanthropy. Why should medical science be monopolized by us alone? Why should woman be prohibited from fulfilling her mission as a ministering angel to the sick, furnished not only with the softer and kindlier attributes of her sex, but with all the appliances and resources of science?" -(Charles Alfred Lee, pg. 26-27)
"This event will stand here-after as a memorable example of what women can undertake and accomplish, too, when stimulated by the love of science and a noble spirit of philanthropy. Why should medical science be monopolized by us alone? Why should woman be prohibited from fulfilling her mission as a ministering angel to the sick, furnished not only with the softer and kindlier attributes of her sex, but with all the appliances and resources of science?" -(Charles Alfred Lee, pg. 26-27)