The field of obstetrics and gynecology (OB-GYN) has undergone remarkable transformation over the last two centuries, thanks in large part to the courage, intellect, and dedication of pioneering women who broke barriers to advance women’s healthcare. From overcoming racial and gender discrimination to revolutionizing clinical practices, these trailblazers have left an indelible mark on medicine. Let’s take the time to celebrate and highlight several such pioneers, including two extraordinary African-American women whose contributions continue to resonate today.
Dr. Mary Edwards Walker: A Civil War Surgeon and Reformer
Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, born in 1832, was one of the earliest female physicians in the United States and a fierce advocate for women’s rights. After graduating from Syracuse Medical College in 1855, she struggled to find employment in a male-dominated profession and ultimately set up her own practice.
During the Civil War, Dr. Walker volunteered as a surgeon for the Union Army, often working on the battlefield and in field hospitals. Despite initial resistance due to her gender, she eventually earned a contract position and became the first woman to receive the Medal of Honor for her service.
Though not exclusively an OB-GYN, Dr. Walker advocated for better healthcare access and education for women, laying the groundwork for future specialists. She also challenged Victorian norms about women’s roles in society, pushing boundaries in both fashion and medicine.
Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell: America’s First Female Physician
Elizabeth Blackwell made history in 1849 as the first woman in the United States to earn a medical degree. Initially denied admission to every medical school she applied to, she was eventually accepted by Geneva Medical College in New York—reportedly as a joke by the all-male student body. However, Blackwell proved her capability and graduated first in her class.
Blackwell’s interest in women’s health led her to establish the New York Infirmary for Indigent Women and Children in 1857, offering much-needed care to underserved populations and providing opportunities for female medical students to gain clinical experience. Though she was not an OB-GYN by today’s standards, her work fundamentally advanced women’s roles in healthcare and championed the health needs of women and children.
Dr. Helen Octavia Dickens: A Champion for African-American Women’s Health
Dr. Helen Octavia Dickens broke numerous racial and gender barriers throughout her illustrious career. Born in 1909, she graduated from the University of Illinois College of Medicine in 1934 and later earned a master’s degree in medical science from the University of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Dickens was the first African-American woman admitted to the American College of Surgeons and the first to become a board-certified OB-GYN in Philadelphia. Her work focused heavily on teen pregnancy, sexual education, and cancer prevention among African-American women. She played a pivotal role in launching the Teen Clinic at the University of Pennsylvania, one of the first of its kind, which provided reproductive health education and services for adolescents.
Dr. Dickens was not only a compassionate physician but also a passionate advocate for public health and racial equity. She mentored countless young Black physicians and was a beacon for aspiring OB-GYNs facing systemic discrimination.
Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler: The First African-American Woman Physician
Another trailblazer, Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler, became the first African-American woman in the United States to earn a medical degree in 1864 from the New England Female Medical College in Boston. Much of her medical practice focused on underserved Black communities in the post-Civil War South, where she faced immense racism and sexism.
Crumpler treated formerly enslaved people and documented her experiences in her book A Book of Medical Discourses, one of the first medical texts written by an African-American. Her work emphasized the importance of preventive care, nutrition, and hygiene—especially for women and children—elements that remain central to OB-GYN practice today.
Dr. Virginia Apgar: Inventor of the Apgar Score
Dr. Virginia Apgar, an anesthesiologist and obstetrician, transformed neonatal care with the invention of the Apgar Score in 1952. This simple yet effective tool assesses the health of newborns immediately after birth, guiding critical decisions in delivery rooms worldwide. Her innovation drastically improved infant survival rates and demonstrated the value of interdisciplinary knowledge in OB-GYN practice.
Apgar was also a passionate advocate for maternal and child health and worked extensively with the March of Dimes to promote public health education and research.
Legacy and Inspiration
These women—Drs. Walker, Blackwell, Dickens, Crumpler, and Apgar—represent a lineage of courage, excellence, and advocacy in OB-GYN and beyond. Their legacies continue to inspire generations of women in medicine, particularly African-American women who have long faced structural obstacles in their pursuit of medical careers. Today, increasing diversity in OB-GYN reflects the enduring impact of these pioneers, who not only expanded the boundaries of medicine but redefined what it means to care for women’s health.
