Ashley+M.

__ Elizabeth Blackwell __

Did you know, women could not be doctors until I came along? Hi! My name is Elizabeth Blackwell and I am the first woman doctor. I was born in England on February 3, 1821. My dad’s name was Samuel Blackwell. He was a sugar merchant and was very rich. My mom’s name was Hannah Blackwell. Growing up, I had 8 brothers and sisters. I was very close to my sister, Emily.

When I was really little, I had a tutor, and when I got a little older, my parents home schooled me. In 1838, my family moved to Cincinnati. Once we settled in, my dad unexpectedly died. It was a very sad time.

I graduated from high school in 1849. Because my father had passed away, I had to help support the family, so we opened a small elementary school for the black. It was called “Cincinnati English and French Academy for Young Ladies”. I quickly realized I did not like teaching, so I sent out applications to many medical schools, but they would not let me in just because I was a girl. However, once Geneva College got my application, they considered me and took a vote. In the end, they decided to accept me. After years of studying hard, I finally got my medical degree and became a doctor. It was one of the happiest times of my life!

One of my best accomplishments was opening the New York Infirmary. It was a full scale hospital with beds for medical and surgical patients. It was also there to serve the poor and provide positions for women doctors. Another accomplishment of mine is being the founder of the Women’s College for training women doctors. I also wrote lectures about the women’s rights movement. I am also proud that I introduced sanitation to hospitals.

I retired after falling down the stairs. I died when I was 89 years old because of a stroke. I was buried in Kilmun in 1910.

__Thank you for listening to my speech__ !