Rebecca Lee Crumpler and Breaking Barriers at the New England Female Medical College

The New England Medical College; Source: Melody T. McCloud

The New England Female Medical College, where Crumpler received degree, opened in 1848 and accepted its first students in 1850. It was rare for any black woman to go to medical school, so Crumpler's chance of being accepted given her race was slim to none. Fortunately, she was accepted, allowing her to go on to break barriers and change history. With only a 35% graduation rate many doubted Crumpler. But she was determined, and in 1864 became the first black female physician in the United States, and the only black to graduate from the school due to its close in 1874. Not only did she break racial barriers, but with only 300 female physicians and 50,000 male physicians, she also broke gender barriers. Just by being accepted and graduating, Rebecca Lee Crumpler broke racial and gender barriers, and set her path to continue to break barriers for years to come.