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

Emily joined Elizabeth in New York. Despite initial apprehension about meeting her sister's high expectations, they quickly reconnected over their medical ambitions. Elizabeth was impressed by Emily's potential and considered her a “soldier of truth” (149). Emily's attempts to gain admission to Dartmouth College and Berkshire Medical Institution were unsuccessful, and she returned to New York discouraged. Despite facing her own struggles with a lack of patients, Elizabeth leveraged her connections to help Emily. With the support of Horace Greeley and Bellevue Hospital's physicians, Emily was allowed to attend lectures at Bellevue. Emily later traveled to Chicago and secured tentative approval to study at Rush Medical College, thanks to the endorsements she received from Bellevue. Her integration into the college went smoothly at first, with Rush's president, Daniel Brainard, becoming her mentor. However, the trustees eventually succumbed to societal pressures and decided against allowing her to graduate. Determined not to give up, Emily went to Cleveland Medical College, where she finally achieved her goal. Her graduation in February 1854 included a special commendation and recognition of her exceptional performance.