Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell
Throwback Thursday Snapshot
She had achieved what no other woman in the U.S. had done. On January 23, 1849, Elizabeth Blackwell received her Medical Degree.
The journey had been long and arduous. When Elizabeth first thought of applying, some friends encouraged her to do so as a man. She refused. Instead, she studied, found mentors, and diligently applied for admission as herself. Twenty-nine applications. Twenty-nine rejections. Then, in one program, the admission board, unable to decide, handed the decision to the all-male student body. The students thought the application was a joke and unanimously admitted her. But it wasn't a joke. And Elizabeth accepted.
Elizabeth would finish the program first in her class. At the graduation ceremony, the Dean conferred each diploma while sitting down. But as Elizabeth approached, he rose and handed her the diploma. Then he bowed.
"I thank you Sir. It shall be the effort of my life, by God's blessing, to shed honor on this diploma," Elizabeth said to the Dean. Then she bowed back.
"It is not easy to be a pioneer - but oh, it is fascinating! I would not trade one moment, even the worst moment, for all the riches in the world. The world is not an easy place to live in. It is not engineered for the convenience of any individual. And yet, if one will but take the time to find it, there is a rhythm in the world and in one's own life which gives a sense of security and peace." - Elizabeth Blackwell