By: Jessica, Cristina and Ivonne Elizabeth Blackwell By: Jessica, Cristina and Ivonne

Introduction Elizabeth Blackwell was the first female physician to earn a medical degree in America. Throughout her dream of becoming a physician she struggled with sexual prejudice to earn her place in history, but through her struggles she now represents a historical movement in modern medicine and women’s liberation. Elizabeth hard work and dedication to her medical career has changed the lives of many women and men over the years.

History 1821- On February 3, 1821 Elizabeth was born in Bristol in England 1832- The Blackwell family move to New York 1838- The Blackwell family move again to Cincinnati. After a few months Samuel died. Leaving the family without financial resources 1839- Elizabeth, her Mother, and two older sisters open a private school fro young women. 1847- The Geneva College in New York accept her application.

History 1849- Elizabeth became the first woman to earn a medical degree in the United States, graduating at the top of her class. 1850- While in Paris during her training Elizabeth contracted a terrible eye disease. Called Purulent Ophthalmia which result in having her eye removed and replaced by a glass eye.

History 1857- On May 12, 1857 Elizabeth with her sister Emily and Dr. Marie Zakzewska, founded their own infirmary, named the New York Infirmary for Women and Children. 1861- During the Civil War president Abraham Lincoln give permission to Elizabeth to trained many women to be nurses who were of great help to the Union Army. 1868- Elizabeth Blackwell establish a Women’s Medical College 1910- Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell died May 31, 1910. She was 89 years old.

Educational Background Geneva Medical College in Geneva, N.Y • She graduated in 1849 at the top of her class.

Inspire It was in 1844 and Elizabeth Blackwell was sitting next to her friend. Mary Donaldson, who was dying of cancer and Mary said to Elizabeth," Why don't you become a doctor?”. From that moment on, Elizabeth Blackwell decided to become a doctor.

Major Accomplishments In 1853 she opened a dispensary in a tenement district of New York City which later became the New York Infirmary for Women and Children in 1868. • Elizabeth Blackwell was the first woman doctor. • She helped people because they needed help, not because she wanted money. • Organized U.S. Sanitary Aid Commission

Honors and Awards Received First woman to graduate in medicine. • Placed on the British Medical Register. • She was in the fullest sense, a pioneer, most people remember her as the first woman doctor.

Significance: Founded Women's Medical College. • She made it possible for women and children to get health care. • She expanded medical opportunities for women.

For Further Information: http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/about-ama/our-people/member- groups-sections/women-physicians-congress.page  Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell (). Changing the face of Medicine website. Retrieved November 22, 2012.from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/changingthefaceofmedicine/physicians/biograp hy_35.html  Elizabeth Blackwell Biography. (1996-2012). The Biography Channel website. Retrieved November 20,2012, from http://www.biography.com/people/elizabeth-blackwell-9214198 Elizabeth Blackwell (2011). National Women’s Hall of Fame website. Retrieved November 20, 20212. from http://www.greatwomen.org/component/fabrik/details/2/19  Women in Medicine: An AMA Timeline. Retrieved November 20, 2012.from http://www.ama- assn.org/ama1/pub/upload/mm/19/wimtimeline.pdf