Education

Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell: Women’s History Month and Recognizing Women Immigrants and Refugees

In honor of Women’s History Month, we recognize the economic, cultural, political, and social contributions of influential immigrant and refugee women who’ve helped shape the vibrant tapestry of America. Today, we spotlight Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell, America’s first female physician.

Elizabeth Blackwell was born in Bristol, England, in 1821. When she was 11, her family relocated to America for better economic opportunities and hopes of contributing to the fight against slavery. After completing her secondary education, she was encouraged to become a teacher, but her goals shifted not long after. Elizabeth was inspired to pursue medicine following a close friend’s sickness and subsequent death. The friend had expressed her belief that she would not have suffered as much had her physician been a woman.

Elizabeth faced many obstacles as she began her journey into medical school. She was told by many that it would be impossible for a woman to attend. She convinced two physicians to let her study alongside them for a year, while she applied to all the medical schools in the northeast. Blackwell was eventually accepted to Geneva Medical College in 1847, subject to a vote by the student body. The faculty members believed that the all-male student body would never vote for her acceptance, but they voted her in as a joke, granting her admission.

After just two years of studying, Blackwell became the first woman to receive a medical degree from an American medical school, specializing in gynecology and obstetrics. Following her graduation, Elizabeth worked in clinics in London and Paris and studied midwifery at La Maternité. While working abroad, Blackwell lost sight in one eye and decided to return to New York City in 1851. When Elizabeth tried to find employment in America, she faced significant discrimination as the country’s only woman physician. Due to the lack of opportunities, she created her own dispensary. Soon, her sister followed in her footsteps in medicine, and together they opened the New York Infirmary for women and children. This is where Blackwell spent the remainder of her career, committed to educating future women doctors and caring for the poor.

Due to the historical timeline of Blackwell’s career, she did not receive the accolades she deserved during her lifetime but has been recognized posthumously. Following her death, the American Medical Women’s Association established the Blackwell medal, awarded to women who make exceptional contributions to the medical field. Her alma mater created the Elizabeth Blackwell award, and the University of Bristol launched the Elizabeth Blackwell Institute for Health Research in her honor. Author Janice P. Nimura published a biography depicting Elizabeth’s career called The Doctors Blackwell. The book was a finalist for the 2022 Pulitzer Prize. Following her death in 1910, National Women’s Physicians Day was established in her honor.


Others we are celebrating in honor of Women’s History Month:

2026

Theresia Gouw, trailblazing entrepreneur

2025

Cristeta Comerford, the White House’s first female executive chef and its first executive chef of Asian descent

Marlene Dietrich, renowned entertainer and activist

Azar Nafisi, critically acclaimed author and English Literature professor

Indra Nooyi, Forbes list business executive and trailblazer

Lea Salonga, Tony Award winning musical theater actress and Disney Legend

2024

Cecelia Payne-Gaposchkin, astronomer, educator, and trailblazer

Mother Cabrini, canonized Catholic sister and the patron saint of immigrants

Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, Psychiatrist and trailblazer for the acceptance of palliative care 

Hinke Boot, former 20-year IIB Executive Director and advocate for New Americans

2023

Gloria Estefan, award-winning singer

Iman,  supermodel and human rights activist

Isabel Allende, international best-selling author

Madeleine Albright, 64th U.S. Secretary of State, first woman to hold position

Martina Navratilova, tennis superstar and civil rights advocate

Mila Kunis, award-winning actress and humanitarian

Lidia Bastianich, Emmy award-winning celebrity chef

Hedy Lamarr, Hollywood “Golden Age” actress and modern tech luminary

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