Elizabeth Blackwell First Woman Doctor-Autobiography-Chatper Book

            Elizabeth Blackwell First Woman Doctor, by Franzcene Sabin and Joann Early Macken is something that all young children should read.  Elizabeth was born in 1821 when woman were not given equal rights as men.  Most men believed that woman were not as smart, and couldn’t do all the things that men could do, and that is why this story is so inspirational.  Elizabeth Blackwell grew up in a loving and supportive family.  Her dad owned a sugar company and for the beginning of her life she lived in luxury and wealth, until her dad’s plant burnt down and the next thing they knew their life had been turned upside down.  The Blackwell family packed up and moved to America where they thought their new and improved life would start.  In New York they were again faced with many challenges with her dads business and illnesses within the family.  Not long after they moved to America Elizabeth’s dad fell ill and died, quickly followed by her two aunts.  With an effort to help the family out Elizabeth began teaching music lessons but soon realized that her true dream was to become a doctor.  With much work and many struggles Elizabeth began applying for med school, which no woman had ever been accepted into.  Finally in 1847 she was accepted to Geneva Medical College where she began her dream.  Although there were many struggles along the way Elizabeth pushed through school and continued towards her future.  One day Elizabeth came down with a bad eye infection which put her back about seven months and caused her to loose her left eye, but that still didn’t stop her.  Elizabeth continued on and became the first woman doctor.  She began to promote “preventive medicine” and gave speeches on the importance of cleanliness and proper diet.  Elizabeth Blackwell practiced as a doctor until she was 89 years old and she will always be remembered for all the lives she saved.  This book is great for students to read because it shows that everybody should be treated equally and that woman can do anything just as good as men.  Also, it shows integrity and courage that Elizabeth had her entire life.  Like I mentioned in another blog I would use this book as a book report and have students dress up as the character they picked.  Elizabeth Blackwell would be a great character for this because she is so inspirational to me and to many other people, and she is a true hero of her time!