Elizabeth Blackwell

Besides being the first female doctor, there are a lot of heroic things to know about Elizabeth Blackwell. For example, did you know that she didn't stop trying after being rejected by twenty-nine colleges? Besides she also adopted a child and established a college as well as an infirmary and a dispensary. There is a lot to know about a woman named Elizabeth Blackwell.

Statue of Elizabeth Blackwell at Geneva Medical Sc (http://www.sanfranciscoplasticsurgeryblog.com/wome ())

When a good friend of Elizabeth Blackwell told her to become a doctor, Elizabeth took her future in her own hands and started to send applications to medical colleges. She applied to a total of twenty-nine colleges. One of the rejections gave her an idea: she should dress up as a man. Even though it sounded strange, Elizabeth Blackwell decided to give it a try. The school let her study anatomy, but they wouldn't allow "him" to earn a degree. Strong-willed Blackwell tried again, but was once more denied. So many doors were closed simply because she was female. Then, in 1847 she got accepted to Geneva medical colleges -which is now known as Herbart and William Smith College-. She got accepted to only later find out that she was accepted as a joke. In the 1800's it wasn't normal for a woman to study a job she wasn't "meant for". Since she was female who wanted to become a doctor she suffered social ostracism as well as a lot of criticism and ridicule. People would talk about her in disgust and hush and ignore her if she approached a seating table. Even though she was bullied and not taken seriously she didn't give up and walk away, instead she studied as hard as possible. Her hard work paid off. In 1849 she graduated at the top of the class. Later she stayed at Geneva Medical College for two more years and graduated with twenty-six special recognitions. Heroes should never give up and should never stop believing in the things they believe in. All that is reflected in Elizabeth Blackwell, that's why she is a hero.

Infirmary Established by Elizabeth Blackwell (Joseph Stanley Kozlowsk (New-York-Infirmary-and-Womens-Medical-College.jpg))

In 1868, Elizabeth Blackwell and a friend of hers opened an infirmary for women and children. She opened this infirmary to help women become doctors, and make it easier. It was, in fact, a challenge to open an infirmary as a woman in New York City. Even though Elizabeth Blackwell graduated from Geneva College with a very high degree, people would still not recognize and respect her. People would accuse her of not being good enough. But she didn't give up. In the Civil War her efforts for expanding the infirmary and including a medical college and nursing school were halted. Eventually Elizabeth won recognition from her colleagues because of her leadership in the Civil War. After the Civil War in 1868 Emily Blackwell - Elizabeth's sister- and Elizabeth Blackwell opened a medicine college for women. Their college was run in a hospital. She opened a dispensary as well. After Elizabeth Blackwell retired in 1869 the infirmary was run by her sister. A hero should not be selfish but make their work count, which is exactly what Elizabeth Blackwell did. She made it count, that's why she is a hero.

Elizabeth adopted an orphan named Katherine Barry, who became a lifelong companion as well as an adopted daughter. Although Elizabeth provided Barry's education, she never allowed her to develop her own interests, or make her own friends. Katherine was rather shy and self conscious about her slight deafness. Barry dedicated herself to Elizabeth's well-being, staying with her all her life. Elizabeth recorded an incident she found amusing, "She had always been accustomed to call me 'Doctor.' On one occasion she was present during the visit of a friendly physician. After he was gone, she came to me with a very puzzled face, exclaiming, 'Doctor, how very odd it is to hear a man called Doctor!'" This shows that Elizabeth Blackwell didn't just care about her welfare but also giving others the opportunities to have an education and a family, and sharing her wealth with others. Even though Elizabeth didn't have much to give she still adopted a child which shows great generosity. Elizabeth is a hero.

Elizabeth was a true hero. She adopted a girl with no future and gave her a family. She wanted others to have an education in what they believe in, and she didn't give up no matter what. Without mentioning that Elizabeth Blackwell was the first female doctor you can look at her lifespan and conclude that she truly was a hero. "IF SOCIETY WILL NOT ADMIT OF WOMAN'S FREE DEVELOPMENT, THEN SOCIETY MUST BE REMODELED." -Elizabeth Blackwell