Women in White Coats Quotes

“A woman must have uncommon sweetness of disposition and manners to be forgiven for possessing superior talents.”
― Olivia Campbell, Women in White Coats: How the First Women Doctors Changed the World of Medicine

“was severing the usual ties of life and preparing to act against my strongest inclinations,” Elizabeth opined. “But a force stronger than myself then and afterward seemed to lead me on; a purpose was before me which I must inevitably seek to accomplish.”
― Olivia Campbell, Women in White Coats: How the First Women Doctors Changed the World of Medicine

“This is a tightrope that women must always walk on, to constantly have to consider: Am I being friendly enough? Am I being overly friendly? As women began entering previously men-only professions and educational spaces, these became near-constant calculations in careers and subjects across the board.”
― Olivia Campbell, Women in White Coats: How the First Women Doctors Changed the World of Medicine

“even the best husband and children compel some daily sacrifice of self, but true work is perfect freedom, and full satisfaction.”
― Olivia Campbell, Women in White Coats: How the First Women Doctors Changed the World of Medicine

“The 1829 publication The young lady’s book: a manual of elegant recreations, exercises, and pursuits explained that “in whatever situation of life a woman is placed from her cradle to her grave, a spirit of obedience and submission, pliability of temper, and humility of mind are required of her.” A few decades later, little had changed.”
― Olivia Campbell, Women in White Coats: How the First Women Doctors Changed the World of Medicine

“Lizzie recognized the England Blackwell described—one where society limited women to a mind-numbing existence as baby factories and household managers.”
― Olivia Campbell, Women in White Coats: How the First Women Doctors Changed the World of Medicine

“In fact, Elizabeth didn’t blame men for women’s subordinate social position. She felt women could stand to express a deeper desire to broaden their own horizons and often found her female companions frustratingly interested only in idle gossip.”
― Olivia Campbell, Women in White Coats: How the First Women Doctors Changed the World of Medicine

“Both Fuller and Blackwell wanted to see women gain more opportunities and influence without taking any away from men.”
― Olivia Campbell, Women in White Coats: How the First Women Doctors Changed the World of Medicine

“From an early age, Elizabeth believed her intelligence and strength as equal to a man’s. Despite her slight, diminutive frame, she was surprisingly strong.”
― Olivia Campbell, Women in White Coats: How the First Women Doctors Changed the World of Medicine

“Do you think anything more is requisite to ensure success than moderate abilities and a good share of perseverance? I believe I may lay claim to these, together with a real love of the subjects of study, but as regards any thorough knowledge of these subjects at present, I fear I am deficient in most.'
-Edith Pechey”
― Olivia Campbell, Women in White Coats: How the First Women Doctors Changed the World of Medicine