Elizabeth Blackwell: First Woman Doctor

Rookie Biography

by Carol Greene, Steven Dobson (Illustrator)

A biography of the first woman doctor in the United States, who worked in both America and England to open the field of medicine to women

Genres: Biography

48 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1999

About the author

Has degrees in English Literature and musicology. She has worked in international exchange programs, as an editor, and as a teacher of writing. Lives in Webster Groves, Missouri.

Reviews

[Mary Pease · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Please note** I did not read this book, but the Goodreads account won't bring up the book that I did read. I read "Elizabeth Blackwell: The First Woman Doctor" by Ira Peck. I was able to bring this book up on amazon.com. The information mentioned that the book by Ira Peck was in between that of Carol Greene's book entitled "Elizabeth Blackwell" (1991) and Jordan Brown's "Elizabeth Blackwell" (1989) I apologize for the mess up.

Ira Peck's book is beautifully written. It tells the reader of her upbringing and how her father loved her. Her father also become apart of the abolitionist movement in the U.S after the family moved to the states. She was encouraged deeply by her father to be as educated as she could be. Later, after his death, she was confronted by a woman who encouraged her to become a doctor. During this time, it was unheard of a woman attending medical school. Elizabeth applied to many medical schools, but no one would take a woman as a student. She had a male doctor friend who spoke with a college and she was able to enter. She was the top of her class! She graduated being the first woman to do this! She was never able to become a surgeon, but she did practice medicine.
The book is a biography. The book is ideally for children beginning at age 7 and up.
Ira Peck's book "Elizabeth Blackwell: The First Woman Doctor is a great companion to "Breakthrough!" by Jim Murphy. Murphy's book is similar to Peck's in that they both speak of discrimination and hardships trying to get to the top. Little recognition is given to either during their life time. Recognition and appreciation of these individuals is seen years later. Elizabeth's father was an abolitionists. Thomas dealt with discrimination during the 1940's. Elizabeth paved the way for
women in medicine. Both characters persevered in their love to help people in medicine. Both were faced with adversity and ridicule. Both story's reflect a setting of tension.
I would encourage children to read "Elizabeth Blackwell: The First Woman Doctor", but I would also supplement the text with others like it. The information found in this text is great, but it just isn't enough.

[Amy Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like Carol Greene's biographies. I do cringe though, when I read statements like, "Elizabeth left for Geneva [Medical College]. At last she would be doing something important." I understand the perspective in that statement, and the need for trailblazers like Elizabeth, but I had to stop then and talk with my kids about the assumptions behind it. What makes you important? Your achievements? Your accomplishments? Your influence over others? Your service? Is it unimportant to pursue a quiet, ordinary life? Were married of her day unimportant by nature of their role? Etc. etc.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a quick little read and a very good one for children to learn about this wonderful lady.