Elizabeth Blackwell - Representative of The Period of Women's Revolution

Introduction

During the first half of the 1800s, women began participating in revolutionizing the world, whether through protests, strikes, or pursuing higher education. Despite facing numerous obstacles and discrimination from peers and adversaries, they always managed to find solutions for a better present and future.

Elizabeth Blackwell: A Pioneer in Women's Revolution

One prominent figure from the 1800s who faced barriers but created opportunities for women who were not allowed or unable to get educated was Elizabeth Blackwell. She was inspired by her dying friend, who said, “Her ordeal would have been better had she had a female physician.” Despite the limited number of medical colleges available and their exclusion of women, Blackwell persisted. She boarded with families of two Southern physicians who mentored her, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to her goal.

A question that might arise is how she managed to get into college when schools were not accepting women. Interestingly, she received an acceptance letter from Geneva College, which thought they were playing a practical joke. However, the joke was on them, as Blackwell's determination turned this opportunity into a groundbreaking achievement. Despite being accepted, Elizabeth faced discrimination and numerous obstacles. For example, professors forced her to sit separately at lectures and often excluded her from labs; local townspeople shunned her as a "bad" woman for defying her gender role (Smith, 2005).

Regardless of all the controversy, Blackwell persevered and graduated first in her class in 1849, earning the respect of those around her. Continuing her education, she would highlight issues with male doctors that were causing epidemics, advocating for better practices in medicine. Facing further discrimination, as female physicians were often not as sought after as their male counterparts, Elizabeth returned to New York City in 1857, not in despair but with renewed strength. With the help of her Quaker friends, she opened a small clinic that treated poor women. Later, she established the New York Infirmary for Women and Children, which provided positions for women physicians and trained nurses for Union hospitals. In 1868, she expanded her efforts by opening a medical college and founding the National Health Society (Blackwell, 1895).

Conclusion

To conclude, during the first half of the 1800s, women were very limited in what they could and could not do. However, when they grew tired of the shackles of injustice, they found ways to defy gender norms and achieve rights not just for themselves in the present, but for those around them and for future generations. Elizabeth Blackwell’s story is a testament to the resilience and determination of women in the face of adversity.

References

Blackwell, E. (1895). Pioneer Work in Opening the Medical Profession to Women: Autobiographical Sketches. Longmans, Green.

Smith, J. (2005). The Trials of Elizabeth Blackwell. University Press.