Post
(c) Doris McCraw
aka
Angela Raines
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 | Photo property of the Author |
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There
is a history of women struggling to be accepted in the early part of
the 1800s. It began with Elizabeth Blackwell and her efforts for
acceptance into Geneva medical college.
Dr.
Blackwell, who graduated in 1849 from Geneva was not the only woman
who made the effort to attend medical school or practice medicine
openly. Dr. Harriot Kezia Hunt practiced in Massachusetts in the
1830s and had applied to Harvard Medical School, at the same time
Blackwell applied to Geneva, but was denied acceptance. (It should be
noted, the faculty agreed to let Dr. Hunt and men of color audit
classes, but the student body objected.) Dr. Hunt was later given an
honorary degree from the Female Medical College of Philadelphia in
1853.
In
1864 Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler was the first woman of color in the
United States to earn a medical degree. Dr. Sarah Hackett Stevenson,
a physician in Illinois was admitted to the American Medical
Association in 1876.
On
January 8, 1873, the Denver Rocky Mountain News, carried the
following advertisement. “Mrs. E. A. Gillett,M.D. Office and
residence: Curtis Street between I and K. Special attention given to
Obstetrics and diseases of women and children. References: John
Major, M.D., Dr. C. Wakefield, Bloomington, Illinois: R.A. Gunn M.D.,
H.D. Garrison M.D., L.S. Major M.D., Prof. Bennet, Medical College,
Chicago.” Dr. Gillett remained in Denver for approximately two
years before continuing further west.
The
idea of a female doctor in Colorado does not seem to be one of
fighting prejudice. At least not overtly. Dr. Gillett had supporters,
most of whom are male. There were women doctors in the 1870s in
Colorado who did not fit any of the parameters we've seen in the
television shows.
Dr.
Alida Avery came to Denver in 1874 as the director of hygiene. Dr.
Avery's credentials were impressive. She graduated from the New
England Female Medical College in 1862 and then Boston University of
Medicine in 1863. Prior to Colorado, Dr. Avery was a professor at
Vassar from 1865 to 1874. Matthew Vassar in 1864 wanted to use all
female professors, but in the 1860s there were few who would qualify.
He did locate two, astronomer Maria Mitchell and Dr. Alida C. Avery,
physician, and physiology professor. Dr. Avery, along with Miss Lyman
and Dr. Raymond, were called by some of the students ' The Trinity'
for their power in the institution. A case for fighting prejudice
might be made for Dr. Avery if you include her work on behalf of
women and the suffrage movement. By the time Dr. Avery arrived in
Colorado, two years prior to statehood, she was involved in and was
the president of “The Organization for Women's rights”. The Rocky
Mountain News announced her arrival in style. The June 11, 1874
edition of the paper included the following: “the well-known
professor of physiology and hygiene, at Vassar College, Alida C.
Avery, M. D., has arrived in Denver and taken up residence on 20th
St., corner of Champa. She has been the resident physician of
that institution from its opening in 1865, having usually under her
care the health and habits of some 400 young women from every part of
our country. The Poughkeepsie news, in announcing her resignation,
makes mention of the remarkable fact, that not a single death
occurred among the pupils under her charge, during her eight years of
administration....”
While
Dr. Avery may have been the first female physician to remain in
Colorado for more than two years, she was not the only one. Dr. Rilla
G Hay, one of the first to be licensed in California when they began
in 1876, regardless of where the physician had a practice, spent time
in active practice and furthered her education, taking additional
medical courses over the years she was active.
Dr.
Edith Root was the first woman to receive a license in the state of
Colorado when the state began the process in 1881.
While
women had to work to achieve their dreams, so did many others. What
we can take from their journey is the determination to follow through
and just do it.
If
you would like to know more about the women doctors who practiced in
the Colorado Springs area the book: "Under the Stone: Early
Women Doctors in Evergreen Cemetery" is available as an ebook.
Amazon
Purchase Link
My
novel “Josie’s Dream” was inspired by these women that I not
only admire but use as role models for following one's dreams Josie's Dream - Amazon Link.
Until
Next Time: Stay safe, Stay happy, and Stay healthy.
Doris