After Rebecca Lee Crumpler: Her Advancements to the Medical Field
Rebecca Lee Crumpler broke mulitple barriers in the medical field and went on to inspire thousands.
Source: National Library of Medicine
Crumpler's book was one of the first medical books written by a black, and one of the only books relating to female and children's diseases. Even in such a segregated time she still regarded all races as equal, and provided a resource to women.
Source: Changing the Face of Medicine
Rebecca Lee Crumpler set trends for many black women to continue in her footsteps, including Rebecca J. Cole who graduated in 1867. Many people thought she was the first black female physician. Her thesis, imaged right, proves that Crumpler had graduated earlier. Many others were also encouraged and assisted by Crumpler's trailblazing efforts. Crumpler was someone to look up to; someone a black child could aspire to be. She changed the perspective of what blacks could achieve.
Rebecca Lee Crumpler fought discrimination between races and genders. She helped blacks by not separating races in her book, and showing anything was possible, despite much discrimination for being a black woman. Rebecca Lee Crumpler also fought for Women's Rights and inspired many by writing a book about the diseases of women and children, proving to others that women were just as good as men and needed to be treated equally. In 1864 there was one black female physician in the United States, but due to Crumpler's achievements, there were 65 in 1920. Rebecca Lee Crumpler inspired and blazed a trail for women everywhere.