Elizabeth Blackwell

Elizabeth Blackwell Potrait (http://www.history.com/topics/holidays/womens-hist ())

"A blank wall of social and professional antagonism faces the woman physician that forms a situation of singular and painful loneliness, leaving her without support, respect or professional counsel,"  (Elizabeth Blackwell). Feminism. Although it is seen as a controversial topic surrounding our news and politics daily,  we as a modern society cannot begin to imagine how the lack of it must've affected women in the 19th century. Women weren't allowed to do simple, non violent acts such as voting and were only viewed as objects that sat at home all day dusting windows and feeding children. In Bristol, England, on February 3, 1821 Elizabeth Blackwell was born. When she turned 11 years old, her and her family of 10 immigrated to America as her father's sugar business collapsed. Since she always took interest in science, she later discovered her passions for teaching, although in poverty, and studying medicine on her own, even though she was hidden behind barriers for something she cannot control- her sex (Elizabeth).When you hear the word "hero", the main phrases that pop up in many minds may be inspired by influencing eyes of the media and comic books, such as super strength, the ability to fly, or heat vision. On the other hand, I believe that heroes must possess characteristics such as being a trailblazer and continuing to be perseverant. Elizabeth Blackwell shows these heroic qualities because she paved a path for women in the medical field and persevered towards equality despite her patriarchal society.

Blackwell Family, 1904 (http://avhs-apush.wikispaces.com/Elizabeth+Blackwe ())

Throughout her life, Blackwell expressed herself to be a trailblazer for women who dreamt of prevailing in the field of medicine, which, at those times, was dominated by men. Elizabeth showed this brave trait when she got accepted into college which she later graduated: "...she became the first woman in the world to earn a regular M.D. degree from an accredited medical school by satisfying the normal requirements of a full course of study," (Elizabeth). Although it came to a surprise to her fellow male classmates and community, Elizabeth Blackwell fought to become the initial female ever to fulfill regular college requirements. This resulted in her earning a medical degree at Geneva Medical College. As Blackwell got this degree, she helped open doors for women to be accepted in the medical field for both Europe and America. This helped create the idea that women can, in fact, succeed in the same occupations as men in all countries. After her already impressive college graduation, Elizabeth Blackwell decided to help and encourage other women like her to pursue in their passions when she led an individual expedition: "Dr. Blackwell traveled widely across Europe and became increasingly interested in social reform movements dedicated to women's rights... She was also an avid writer whose byline attracted many readers on a wide range of subjects, including advice to young girls and new parents," (Markel). As she explored many places educating and protesting, Blackwell portrayed herself active in fighting for what she believed in and spreading her intelligence throughout our world. Elizabeth proved herself to be impressionable towards young women as she broke the gender barriers of pursuing her goals of practicing medicine, which at her time, was unheard of. No woman of her time period could ever dream of becoming a professional doctor or fighting for rights. Between becoming the first female to earn a medical degree and help strengthen passionate women from many countries, Elizabeth Blackwell manifested herself to be hero.

Geneva Medical College (https://www.nlm.nih.gov/exhibition/blackwell/colle ())

As well as paving the path, Blackwell also shows qualities of a hero because she continued to persevere through the discrimination from the society surrounding her, in order to flourish in her passions. In our present world, women are still seen as unequal to men in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) performances and in the political scene. Although nothing compares to the unimaginable tragedies that the 19th century withheld: "Elizabeth Blackwell came of age at a time when most women felt an excessive modesty and deep sense of shame about their bodies and how they functioned. When they fell ill-especially with a so-called "female complaint"-they chose to suffer in silence rather than subject themselves to an examination by a male doctor. Yet the notion of a female physician was laughable, if not downright scandalous, even to an enlightened thinker like Blackwell," (Elizabeth Blackwell Contemporary). During the time period that Elizabeth grew up in, women were seen as emotional objects, not as real humans with actual feelings and dreams of success. They were expressed almost as men's sidekicks, performing the acts that males had no desire to do such as cleaning the house and taking care of the children. Even to Blackwell, the single thought of becoming a doctor as a woman proved to be frightening to the point of being almost hilarious. Although Elizabeth held these negative thoughts in the back of her mind, she still persevered through the hatred from the patriarchy and followed her passions of becoming a practicing doctor. The negativity from society wasn't enough to stop Blackwell, and neither did the classmates from Elizabeth's school who loathed her: "All eyes were upon the young woman whom many regarded as immoral or simply mad, but she soon proved herself an outstanding student. Her graduation in 1849 was highly publicized on both sides of the Atlantic," (Elizabeth Blackwell Encylopedia). After getting rejected into every school she applied to, the male students of Geneva Medical College in upstate New York decided to allow her in. Because the idea of women doctors was unusual, the pupils only allowed her in as a practical joke towards the administration. The men believe that since she was a woman, Blackwell could not be as intelligent as them. Although Elizabeth Blackwell was always getting tormented and harassed by her fellow male acquaintances, she continued to be an avid scholar. Blackwell, in fact, later proved her knowledge by becoming one of the highest achieving in her class. Even if she was a woman, she proved to the men that she could do whatever they were doing. Elizabeth demonstrated the qualities of a hero by not letting the annoying negativity from her pupils get between her and her passions.

Elizabeth Blackwell Medical Degree from Geneva (https://www.nlm.nih.gov/exhibition/blackwell/gradu ())

Throughout her productive life, Elizabeth Blackwell proved herself to be a modern day hero by being a trailblazer and staying determined. She became the world's first documented female with an M.D. from a successful medical school whilst ignoring the hate from fellow classmates and the patriarchal community she was raised in. "Over a long and productive career spanning more than 50 years, Blackwell had fulfilled her dreams while inspiring those of countless other young women who, like her, were eager to make a difference in the world and not about to let convention stand in their way," (Elizabeth Blackwell Contemporary). As a young woman myself, not only does she inspire me everyday to work hard, but Blackwell also encourages females and determined doctors from all around the world. She inspires me to chase after my passions, no matter how others view may view me. By doing this, I am able to to build my self-esteem and motivate myself to think that even if I believe something or someone is holding me back from what I am are really enthusiastic about, I can always prove them wrong. So although Blackwell succeeded on her own, she decided to help other women that dream of becoming scientists to pursue their passions. She expressed her strength and bravery by fighting for what she believed was right, which helped influence and inspire her peers and generations of many to come.

Works Cited

"Elizabeth Blackwell." Contemporary Heroes and Heroines, vol. 4, Gale, 2000. Biography in Context, link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/K1607000302/BIC1?u=powa9245&xid=7c830e46. Accessed 2 May 2017.

"Elizabeth Blackwell." Encyclopedia of World Biography, Gale, 1998. Student Resources in Context, link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/K1631000710/SUIC?u=powa9245&xid=8c4e8300. Accessed 1 May 2017.

Inspiringquotes.us. "Elizabeth Blackwell Quote: A Blank Wall of Social and Professional Antagonism Faces the Woman..." World Famous Quotes, Inspiring Quotes, 2016, www.inspiringquotes.us/quotes/Vd2f_3csgAiEy. Accessed 14 May 2017.

Lerner, K Lee, and Brenda Wilmoth Lerner, editors. "Elizabeth Blackwell, First Female Physician." Medicine, Health, and Bioethics: Essential Primary Sources, Gale Virtual Reference Library, 2006, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=GVRL&sw=w&u=powa9245&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CCX3456500083&it=r&asid=36f4f16e6517d92f07de67b9149f0b1f. Accessed 1 May 2017.

Markel, Dr. Howard. "How Elizabeth Blackwell Became the First Female Doctor in the U.S."PBS, Public Broadcasting Service, 3 Feb. 2016, www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/elizabeth-blackwell-becomes-the-first-woman-doctor-in-the-united-states/. Accessed 4 May 2017