The New York Infirmary opened by Elizabeth Blackwell.
Opening Doors
Elizabeth Blackwell paved the way for women in the medical field. Blackwell was the first woman to graduate from medical school. By doing so, she proved that women could prevail in this profession just as well as men. Not only did she graduate from medical school, but she also graduated at the top of her class. This opened doors for women, and two years after Blackwell's graduation U.S. medical schools accepted a few more women into their program. One of those women was Blackwell's younger sister, Emily Blackwell.
An Unfortunate Setback
For two years, Elizabeth Blackwell worked in clinics in London and Paris, and studied midwifery at La Maternite. While studying here, she contracted purulent ophthalmia, causing her to lose sight in one eye. After this, she gave up her dream of becoming a surgeon and returned to New York.
The New York Infirmary for Women and Children
Blackwell returned to New York in 1851. She wanted to open her own practice, but it was nearly impossible due to the fact that she was a woman. Finally, in 1853 she opened a clinic in a very poor part of the city where she treated women and children. Within a few years, Blackwell's sister, Emily Blackwell, joined her with her practice. By 1857, Elizabeth and Emily Blackwell had expanded their clinic into the New York Infirmary for Women and Children.
Elizabeth Blackwell paved the way for women in the medical field. Blackwell was the first woman to graduate from medical school. By doing so, she proved that women could prevail in this profession just as well as men. Not only did she graduate from medical school, but she also graduated at the top of her class. This opened doors for women, and two years after Blackwell's graduation U.S. medical schools accepted a few more women into their program. One of those women was Blackwell's younger sister, Emily Blackwell.
An Unfortunate Setback
For two years, Elizabeth Blackwell worked in clinics in London and Paris, and studied midwifery at La Maternite. While studying here, she contracted purulent ophthalmia, causing her to lose sight in one eye. After this, she gave up her dream of becoming a surgeon and returned to New York.
The New York Infirmary for Women and Children
Blackwell returned to New York in 1851. She wanted to open her own practice, but it was nearly impossible due to the fact that she was a woman. Finally, in 1853 she opened a clinic in a very poor part of the city where she treated women and children. Within a few years, Blackwell's sister, Emily Blackwell, joined her with her practice. By 1857, Elizabeth and Emily Blackwell had expanded their clinic into the New York Infirmary for Women and Children.
