Elizabeth Blackwell was the first woman in the United States to earn a medical degree and paved the way for many women to have more opportunities than what they had before. This is her story.

One day a baby girl named Elizabeth Blackwell was born near Bristol, England. Her parents, Samuel and Hannah Lane Blackwell, were very happy to celebrate her birth on February 3, 1821. She was born into a big family and had 8 other siblings.

When Elizabeth was 11, her family moved to America and settled in Cincinnati, Ohio. 6 years later, Elizabeth’s father died and her family was left penniless. Elizabeth, her mother, and sister would have to work as teachers.

One day, Elizabeth’s friend sadly passed away after saying she would’ve been better off with a female doctor. That sparked Elizabeths desire to become a physician.

Elizabeth made sure to study hard and was accepted into Geneva Medical College where she studied medicine. 

Many people shunned and discriminated against Elizabeth for simply wanting to pursue a career, but no matter what she kept going. She earned the respect of her classmates and professors after graduating first in her class in 1849.

In 1857, Elizabeth and her sister Emily opened the New York Infirmary for Women and Children. Their mission included providing positions for women physicians.

Later on in 1868, Elizabeth opened a medical college in New York City. However, she ended up putting her sister in charge and moved permanently to London.

In London, Elizabeth continued on to become a professor of gynecology at the London School of Medicine for Women.