January 23rd 1849, the day Elizabeth Blackwell made history.
Over the time she spent at Geneva she was able to gain the respect of her professors and fellow students. They respected Blackwell for her talent and courage and described her as being nice and smart. Despite of all the challenges she faced getting into college, she graduated first in her class("That Girl...") The ceremony took place in a church in Geneva and women from the town and college all showed up to see the first women ever to receive a medical diploma. Elizabeth's brother Harry also attended the ceremony and documented his experience(Binns32) Dr.Hale gave the awards out to Blackwell's fellow students in groups of 4 while being remaining seated, but when it was Elizabeth's turn she went up alone.He took of his hat and rose to present Blackwell with her diploma. Harry described Elizabeth as she "had walked up and stood before him with much dignity" when receiving her degree(Binns33) However before leaving she remarked, "Sir, I thank you; it shall be the effort of my life, with the help of the Most high, to shed honor on my diploma" |
"Day to be remembered-being the first instance the world has ever had, where the degree of M.D. was conferred on a women" (Margaret Munro De Lancey, daughter of Episcopalian Bishop of Western NY (Boyd86)) Following getting her diploma, the Dean, Charles Lee made a speech to the medical class pointing out the astonishing event that had taken place showing his admiration of Blackwell's accomplishment ("That Girl..') Blackwell's brother Harry document this speech,
"Dr. Lee gave the valedictory address; he surprised me by the strong and beautiful way in which he alluded to the event. I felt encouraged, strengthened to be greatly good" He had pronounced her the leader of her class; stated that she had passed through a thorough course in every department, slighting none... and by her ladylike and dignified deportment had proved that the strongest intellect and nerve and the most untiring perseverance were compatible with the softest attribute of feminine delicacy and grace" (part of Harry's letter, Blackwell 91) |
The admission of a women for the first time to a complete medical education and full equality in the privileges and the responsibilities of the profession produced a widespread effect in America. (Blackwell91)
Public press reaction:
All across the country, the public press recorded the event in general in a positive, favorable way. It was event document in London in the magazine Punch, who said she deserved "esteem and admiration("That Girl..") However not all the reactions were as positive. A letter in the Boston Medical and Surgical Journal of February of 1849 condemned the "the farce, enacted at the Geneva Medical College. The writer also wrote that he wished it would be the last of its kind for the honor of humanity(Learner). Not everyone thought that Blackwell receiving an M.D. was as wonderful as it was and thought that women should not be able to. The next week a favorable letter was written in the Boston Journal replying to the condemning remarks of the writer('That Girl...")
Below are pictures of Blackwell's graduation notice, the unfavorable letter written and the reply to the unfavorable letter.
All across the country, the public press recorded the event in general in a positive, favorable way. It was event document in London in the magazine Punch, who said she deserved "esteem and admiration("That Girl..") However not all the reactions were as positive. A letter in the Boston Medical and Surgical Journal of February of 1849 condemned the "the farce, enacted at the Geneva Medical College. The writer also wrote that he wished it would be the last of its kind for the honor of humanity(Learner). Not everyone thought that Blackwell receiving an M.D. was as wonderful as it was and thought that women should not be able to. The next week a favorable letter was written in the Boston Journal replying to the condemning remarks of the writer('That Girl...")
Below are pictures of Blackwell's graduation notice, the unfavorable letter written and the reply to the unfavorable letter.