These four women changed health care for us women in the United States. They represent for me the foundation of "who were the most influential members of my health team." I am an artist who has received caring medical care throughout my life. As a women I have benefited from the hard work that these first women doctors did to create an understanding of how a woman's body and needs differ from a man's.

(Seated on the bottom right)

ELIZABETH BLACKWELL   1821 – 1910

Graduated from the Geneva Medical College, N.Y. 1849

The First Woman to achieve a medical degree in the U.S.

(Standing on the bottom left/center)

ANN PRESTON    1813 – 1872

Graduated from the Women’s Medical College of Pennsylvania. 1852

The First Woman Dean of a Medical School

(Standing between these two women)

REBECCA LEE CRUMPLER   1831 – 1895

Graduated from the New England Female Medical College, and was the only African American woman graduated from this college. 1864

One of the first to write about the medical care of women.

The First African – American Woman physician in the U.S.

(On the middle left)

SUSAN LA FLESCHE PICOTTE   1865 – 1915

Graduated from the Women’s Medical College of Pennsylvania.

1889

The First Native American Woman to become a U.S. physician.

When you explore this painting you will find dates and locations for each of the four women doctors.

The U.S. map in the background shows the United States in the year 1870.

The heaviest populations were on the East Coast.  The central area are still Territories and the Unorganized territory is also denoted.

MCC has introduced images representing the growing populations who were emigrating and settling the U.S. during this time that saw the Civil War and the abolition of slavery.

Women’s talents and intelligence were finally allowed to become part of this new nation called The United States of America.