Blackwell's Impact

In 1851, Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell returned to New York City and, with the help of her Quaker friends, opened a small clinic that treated women and children. Six years after the launch of the clinic, she opened the New York Infirmary for Women and Children in 1857 with the help of her sister and fellow doctor, Emily Blackwell, and colleague Dr. Marie Zakrzewska. This project not only provided positions for women physicians, but made female patients feel more comfortable with being examined.

Women's Medical College of the New York Infirmary where women have the ability to earn their medical degrees. (Image: thegildedhour.com)

Wood Carving of the New York Infirmary

(Image: wellcomecollection.org)

Elizabeth’s greatest accomplishment happened in 1868 when she opened a medical college in New York City; the Women’s Medical College of the New York Infirmary, where women would finally be able to earn a proper medical education. One year after the school’s debut, she placed her sister, Emily Blackwell, in charge of the college and moved back to London to continue her medical practices there.

Elizabeth Blackwell's words about why opening a hospital completely operated by women was important. (Audio: healthmatters.nyp.org)

"I must accomplish my end. I would sooner die than give up. I consider it the noblest and most useful path that I can tread, if one country rejects me, I will go to another."
~ Elizabeth Blackwell

In 1875, Elizabeth Blackwell became the head professor of gynecology at the new London School of Medicine for Women. She also helped found the National Health Society and published several books, including her autobiography titled, Pioneer Work in Opening the Medical Profession to Women.

London School of Medicine for Women where Elizabeth became the head professor of gynecology. (Image: ilikehistory.com)

This graph represents the growth of female physicians across the country overtime. (Image: drlizmd.com)

During the course of her lifetime she was able to witness her hard work pay off, living to see the number of female physicians grow from one to 7,000 in less than 50 years in America. Today, the number of women in the field has grown drastically, for a total of 50.9% of all graduates being female, making for a total of 332,500 female physicians across the country.

"It is hard with no support but a high purpose; to live against every species of social opposition. I would not trade one moment, even the worst moment, for all the riches in the world."

~ Elizabeth Blackwell

Dr. Judy Tung, a female physician at the New York Presbyterian Hospital in New York, NY, talking about Elizabeth's lasting impact on the medical field today. (Video: https://healthmatters.nyp.org)

The Elizabeth Blackwell Award

(Image: hws.edu)

The Elizabeth Blackwell award was created in 1849 by Elise S. L’Esperance to honor the first women awarded a medical degree from American medical schools. This award is given annually to a female physician who has made the most outstanding contributions for women within the medical field.

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