Elizabeth Blackwell was born in 1821 in Bristol, England. She had many brothers and sisters. Her sisters’ names were Anna, Marianne, Emily and Ellen. Her brothers were George, Howard and Sam. Together they make a happy family. Elizabeth’s father was also the owner of a sugar plant and was very rich. But in 1832 Mr. Blackwell started to lose a lot of money in bad investments and because of this he decided to move the family to America.

During the trip Elizabeth was seasick for most of the trip but this was nothing compared to the disease cholera, which others were suffering from below decks. When Elizabeth heard about this she kept asking, why do people not help prevent diseases like cholera and small pox? Elizabeth decided that when she became an adult she would help prevent diseases from spreading.

It was a cold October day when the Blackwells settled down in New York. Mr. Blackwell’s sugar plant did well for a few months but then lost money again and suddenly his health began to fail so they moved again but this time to Cincinnati, Ohio. In Ohio Mr. Blackwell’s health worsened and he soon died. Now Elizabeth worked as hard as ever and it paid off when she received a letter of acceptance from the Geneva Medical College. Elizabeth was overjoyed.

It was only when she arrived there that she noticed how hard the years would be because of teachers ignoring her and even students insulted her but through it all, she completed college and graduated. Soon after this she went back to England and fought for women doctors, cleanliness and better care for the poor women and children. Now Elizabeth was growing old and weak. At age 89 Elizabeth Blackwell died on May 31, 1910. She was shy but caring lady. She treated 31,657 people and only five had died.

Elizabeth Blackwell gave her whole life to fighting ignorance and illness. She has written a great chapter in medicine and humanity.