Being in the health profession is an honor. Since I was a kid it is something I aspired to do. The actual profession that I chose, Occupational Therapist, is not one I knew of back then. But I am happy about my decision. The story of women in healthcare in the United States started off with nursing. After many years it expanded into other positions such as physician. In 1849, Elizabeth Blackwell became the first woman physician. In1864, Rebecca Lee Crumpler became the first African American woman physician.
Now what do you think about with this quote from her…
“If we as intelligent beings sit still in this matter of physical security, premature decay must take the place of perfection.”
This was from her book, “The Book of Medical Discourses.” She wrote it specifically for women with children and women nurses. In it she describes many conditions that were to be recognized. Her quote is to motivate the education of our bodies and nurturing it. Without this knowledge, there is no perfection only illness and premature death.
We have seen many more women in healthcare since the times of Dr. Crumpler and Dr. Blackwell but we must continue to push for representation, support, and equality.