Dispensary
By the summer of 1951, Blackwell felt ready to set up her own practice and mad plans with her sister Emily to work together once she got her degree. Blackwell struggled to find rooms to rent because no one would rent to women doctor. Ultimately she agreed to pay a high rent for some rooms in Greenwich Village, but had no patients. She tried creating announcements in the New York Tribune saying she was one, but still no one came. Having little money, she tried to applied to a local dispensary, but was declined because she was a women. (Binns42) Ah, I am glad I, and not another have to bear this pioneer work. I understand no why this life has never been lived before. It is hard with no support but a high purpose, to live against every species of social opposition..." (Blackwell197) |
" The first seven years of New York life were years of very difficult, though steady uphill work" (Blackwell 190) |
After not having many patients coming, she gave lectures to women on girls heath in 1852. She believed that girls did not "have the vision to see themselves as strong, healthy capable people" (Binns44). These lectures led her to publish her first book, The Laws of Life with Special Reference to the Physical Education of Girls. The Quakers who had came to her many lectures were interested in what she was saying. They started to visit Blackwell for medial advice. This led to her having a small practice as a family physician. Being the person she was, she wanted to do more. She raised funds with help from her Quaker friends and was able buy a house on 15th street ,to set up her own dispensary in March of 1853.A first she saw patients three afternoons a week and it became a place where many people went for medial and hygiene advice.(Binns45)(NWHM)
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" being still excluded from medical companionship, and from the means of increasing medial knowledge which dispensary practice affords, I finally determined to try and form an independent dispensary" (Blackwell195)
At the same time Emily Blackwell was trying to get into Medical School and was having a much tougher time than Elizabeth did. Even Geneva Medical school would not accept her or anymore women. She finally got accepted into Rush Medical college but wasn't allowed to come back her second year(Luft) She found her self then at Western Reserve Medical College where she finally gained her M.D. in 1854. Like Elizabeth, she then headed to Europe to gain experience(DISCovering Bio...) |
"Don't be discouraged.There is no doubt about our loosing many opportunities because of our sex, but you must also bear in mind the disadvantages all students labour under..."(Blackwell201) from a letter to sister Emily about her struggle as a women in the medical field
In January of 1854, the New York Dispensary for Poor Women and Children was incorporated. This meant that it was a success with a board of trustees. It was located on 15th street in a small house which she rented out. It paid Blackwell no salary and was funded all by gifts. Patients were slow coming and she faced threats when visiting patients a night, because men thought she was a prostitute. Change came when Dr. Marie Zakrzweska met Blackwell(Binns45).