Rebecca Lee Crumpler

My name is Rebecca Lee Crumpler, and I want to share my story with you. I was born in Delaware on February 8th, 1831, a time when opportunities were very limited for people who looked like me. I did not grow up with my parents; instead, I was raised in Pennsylvania by my beloved aunt. She was a special person in our community because she spent her time caring for sick neighbors, acting as the local doctor for those who couldn't get help elsewhere. I spent countless hours by her side, watching her work. Seeing her ease the suffering of others planted a seed in my heart. From a young age, I knew that I wanted to spend my life doing the same. In 1852, I moved to Charlestown, Massachusetts, with this dream in mind. For eight years, I worked as a nurse, learning everything I could. The physicians I worked with saw my dedication and skill. They noticed how carefully I cared for patients and encouraged me to take an even bigger step: to go to medical school.

In the 1800s, the idea of an African American woman becoming a doctor was almost unthinkable. Medical schools did not welcome women, and they certainly did not welcome people of my race. But the encouragement from the doctors I worked with gave me strength. They wrote powerful letters of recommendation for me, testifying to my abilities. With those letters, I applied to the New England Female Medical College and, against all odds, I was accepted in 1860. The studies were incredibly difficult, and my journey became even more challenging when the American Civil War began in 1861, dividing the nation. Despite the turmoil in the country and the pressures of my demanding courses, I was determined to succeed. I focused on my goal of easing suffering, just as my aunt had done. After years of hard work, my dream became a reality. On March 1st, 1864, I graduated. On that day, I became the first African American woman in the United States to earn a medical degree, a Doctor of Medicine.

After graduating, I began my medical practice in Boston, focusing my efforts on caring for women and children who were poor and had little access to medical help. My work was fulfilling, but soon a new, urgent calling emerged. In 1865, the Civil War ended, and millions of African Americans were freed from slavery. They faced a new life with immense challenges, including a severe lack of healthcare. I knew I had to help. I moved to Richmond, Virginia, to work with the Freedmen's Bureau, an organization created to assist the newly freed population. It was here that I felt I could make the biggest difference. The work was demanding, and I faced intense racism from some of my male colleagues who refused to respect my position as a physician. They would not fill my prescriptions or listen to my medical advice. However, I viewed this difficult time as a true learning experience, a field of missionary work where I could provide care to those who needed it most. It was also during my time in Richmond that I married my second husband, Arthur Crumpler.

In 1869, my husband and I decided to return to Boston. We settled in a home on Beacon Hill, which also became the site of my medical practice. I continued to treat women and children, drawing on the vast experience I had gained over the years. As I cared for my patients, I realized that I wanted to share my knowledge with a wider audience. I wanted to give women the tools to care for themselves and their families. So, I began the long process of writing a book, compiling everything I had learned about health and medicine. In 1883, my work was published. It was called 'A Book of Medical Discourses in Two Parts.' I was incredibly proud, as it was one of the very first medical books ever published by an African American author. My purpose was to empower women with medical knowledge, helping them to be active participants in their own health and the health of their children.

I lived to be 64 years old, and my life's journey came to a close in 1895. Looking back, I am proud to be known as a trailblazer, the one who opened the door for so many others to follow in the field of medicine. But my legacy is not just about being the first. It is about a lifetime spent caring for others, especially those who were overlooked or forgotten. I hope my story shows that with determination, you can break down barriers and dedicate your life to making the world a healthier, more caring place for everyone.