Female Medical School Documents Include First School To Train Women, Suffragette For Sale

The New England Female Medical College, originally Boston Female Medical College, was founded in 1848 by Samuel Gregory and was the first school to train women in the field of medicine. The name was changed to the “Boston Female Medical College” in 1859. It later merged with Boston University to become the Boston University School Of Medicine in 1874.

Offering a three-piece grouping of early Female medical items, including a graphic 1859 “New England Female Medical College” catalog, being the 10th Annual Report of the New England Female Medical College. The catalog is 20 pages, 5 ½ x 9 ¼, with a fine engraved image of the College Building on Springfield Street in Boston on the front cover.

The second item is graphic medical certificate from the “American Medical College” of St. Louis, MO, issued to female student Helen Frances Gibson. The certificate is dated February 23rd, 1900 and was awarded by the “Department of Practical Anatomy” to Gibson for “having attended the Demonstrations during winter regular session and has made satisfactory dissections of Head having attained such practical knowledge of General and Topographical Anatomy, as will greatly aid her in the Scientific and Successful Practice of Medicine and Surgery.” The certificate is signed by Doctor Harry Hugh Helbing and E. Lee Standee, as “Demonstrators of Anatomy.”

The third document is from the “Chicago Council of Medical Women”, certifying “Anna E. Blount” as a Charter Member. Blount was the “First President” of the council and a noted suffragist. The document is dated March 26th, 1923, the same day the council was founded. Its mission was “to search and to serve in the Science and Art of Medicine on behalf of human welfare.” Along the very top of the document is the colorful logo of the “Chicago Council of Medical Women,” and in the lower left corner is the embossed seal of the organization. To the right of the seal are the printed names of the Council’s officers - Anna E. Blount (PRESIDENT), Lena K. Sadler (SECRETARY), and Eliza R. Morse (TREASURER). Blount (1872 – 1953) received her medical degree from Northwestern University in 1897. Dr. Blount was also PRESIDENT of the “National Medical Women’s Association” and played an important role in the early birth control movement and was a supporter of eugenics. She served on the committee at the FIRST American Birth Control Conference in 1921. In 1906, Anna co-founded the “Suburban Civics and Equal Suffrage Association”. She was also the chairperson of the literature department of the “Illinois Equal Suffrage Association” and was active in various local and National Suffrage movements. The CHICAGO COUNCIL OF MEDICAL WOMEN was organized in 1923 to help promote fellowship and to collate valuable clinical experience for publication in medical periodicals. Membership was restricted to women licensed to practice medicine and limited to 75 active members. Blount and Sadler were two of the five original incorporators.

Light soiling to each. Folds to the Female Medical College catalog and the American Medical College certificate. A couple of edge tears in the bottom margin of the American Medical College certificate, away from the text.

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