Women in the Medical Field

For as long as history dictates, women have always had the role of "caregiver." Even dating back to colonists in the 17th century, women acted as midwives and women 'healers." As diseases such as syphillis, tuberculosis, and scarlet fevers ran rampant through the colonies, a few women acted as physicians, though little training was given for the position. Herbal medicines as well as cleaning out systems of the body by purging or lancing were the standard practice of the time. Even so, most women provided medical care to their individual families.

As the 18th century rolled around, the War for Independence between America and England was in full swing.  Women played an integral part in war-time preparations, both in running the household while their husbands were away as well as preparing bandages and herbal remedies for the wounded.

The 19th century saw the beginning of the Women's Rights Movement, which fought for a woman's right to be recognized as independent from the men. White, single women cared for the sick kin of their family. As the Civil War came into view, many women were attracted to working as aid to soldiers. As mentioned before, nursing was an integral part of care in the home, but an actual nursing profession was not seen in the 1800s up until the Civil War. Many of these women worked in harm's way on the battle field, and some simply volunteered and received no salary for their work.

The Reconstruction era meant new job opportunites for women. In the past, women in the medical field were not respected. Now, practicing medicine became a much more honorable position for women, due to the sacrifice that so many women had made while on the battlefield. By this time, there were over 2,000 women practicing medicine, and a few even became surgeons. Though women were still not respected enough to practice privately, many worked in in hospitals and clinics. Also at this time, nursing schools to train women professionally had begun to surface.

The number of women obtaining college degrees in the 1900s grew substantially. Nearly 9,000 women were now in practice within hospitals, a field up until this time was male dominated. World War I paved the way for Army and Navy nurses, and physical and occupational therapists worked with the soldiers that had suffered injury during battle. World War II saw even more professional possessions becoming available to women. At this time, few clinics for African American nurses and physicians also became existant, though very seldom.

As the years of the Cold War progressed into now current, women continuted to experience  more and more openings in the professional world. Today, women are offered a wide range of healthcare careers, all of which are formed on the basis of "caregiver."

Present-day caregivers: Hear from Dr. Cheryl Riegger-Krugh, Clinical Professor of Physical Therapy at Walsh University in North Canton, Ohio and Patty Flanagan, Clinical Assistant Professor of Nursing at Walsh University in North Canton, Ohio about their experiences and training in the medical field.


Bibliography:
All historical information utilized from "A History of Women in America" by Janet L. Coryell and Nora Faires, Chapters 1-10.