The Doctors Blackwell: How Two Pioneering Sisters Brought Medicine to Women and Women to Medicine

In the 19th century, women's roles in healthcare, access to medical education, and rights regarding their health became a major issue in broader discussions about gender equality. At the beginning of the 19th century, the medical profession was dominated by men. Women were excluded from formal medical education and professional practice due to societal and scientific rationales of the time, which followed the belief that women were inherently unsuited for the rigors of medical training. This exclusion was reinforced by educational institutions that did not admit women and professional associations that barred female members. Additionally, women’s health issues were often misunderstood or neglected by male doctors. Conditions specific to women, such as childbirth, menstruation, and reproductive health, were frequently dismissed or mismanaged. This neglect highlighted the need for women doctors who could advocate for and address the unique health concerns of women patients.

The mid-19th century saw the beginnings of changes driven by broader social movements advocating for women's rights and the professionalization of medicine. The Women's Rights Movement, which gained momentum in the 1840s and 1850s, called for equal access to education, including medical education. One of the most notable figures of this era was Elizabeth Blackwell, who became the first woman to receive a medical degree in the United States.