On January 23, 1849, Elizabeth Blackwell made history by becoming the first woman to earn a medical degree in the United States, graduating from Geneva Medical College in New York. Born in England in 1821, Blackwell faced immense obstacles in her pursuit of medical education—rejected by multiple schools before Geneva reluctantly admitted her, partly as a joke. Yet she persevered with determination, graduating top of her class and earning admiration for her thesis on typhus linking physical health to social conditions.​

Following graduation, she broke new ground as both a practicing physician and a passionate advocate for women in medicine. In 1857, she founded the New York Infirmary for Women and Children with her sister Emily and colleague Dr. Marie Zakrzewska, providing care to indigent patients and training opportunities for female medical students. Blackwell also traveled back and forth to England, becoming the first woman listed on the British Medical Register in 1859.​

Her pioneering work challenged gender norms, opened doors for generations of women physicians, and contributed to public health reforms focused on hygiene, antisepsis, and preventive medicine.

Scenario 1: Early Acceptance of Women in Medicine (1849-1870)

Blackwell's graduation sparks a rapid shift in attitudes toward women in medicine. Other medical schools follow Geneva’s lead, opening their doors to women within a decade. By 1860, women constitute 20% of U.S. medical students. The Civil War accelerates demand for female doctors and nurses, further normalizing their roles. By 1870, the medical profession is more gender-balanced, and public health outcomes improve with expanded access to practitioners who understand women’s and children’s health.​

Scenario 2: Blackwell's Career is Stifled Early (1850s)

Alternatively, Blackwell faces intensifying opposition—medical societies refuse to recognize female doctors, hospitals deny admitting privileges, and societal pressures discourage patients from seeing women doctors. Her New York Infirmary fails due to lack of funding and public support. Women’s entry into medicine stalls for decades, delaying progress. The medical field remains overwhelmingly male through the late 19th century, and women’s health care suffers from limited perspectives.​

Scenario 3: Blackwell Becomes an International Reformer (1850-1900)

Blackwell uses her dual career in the U.S. and England to build an international network supporting women’s medical education and practice. She helps found women’s medical colleges across Europe and North America, guides public health campaigns on hygiene, and champions women’s suffrage intertwined with healthcare reform. By 1900, women doctors are a well-established force shaping medicine and social policy globally.​

It’s 1847. You’re Elizabeth Blackwell, newly accepted to Geneva Medical College, facing skepticism and outright hostility. The faculty jokes about your admission, some male classmates shun you, and clinical supervisors refuse to let you examine patients.

Do you:

Elizabeth chose A, breaking barriers through resilience and brilliance. What would you have done in her shoes?

Elizabeth Blackwell’s journey highlights enduring questions about inclusion, perseverance, and social change. Her success was as much about her personal courage as it was about slowly shifting societal norms.

How have attitudes toward women in medicine changed since 1849? Progress is undeniable, yet gender disparities remain globally. Blackwell’s legacy reminds us that systemic change demands patience, persistence, and advocacy.

As we celebrate pioneers, we also recognize ongoing struggles for equality in all professions.