Introduction: History of black women in medicine. We often discuss Black women as a powerful force in our culture, leading communities, political movements, social justice, etc.
Black women have had a strong and lasting impact in the field of science—helping to shape medicine throughout history. During the horrors of slavery, their forced labor was used to raise and care for the children of their white enslavers.
From slavery to the present day, medicine and science have been forever changed by black women, who led progress and more significant health equity—even in the face of racist efforts to exclude them.
The goals are being determined. History Month has been authorized in the United States since 1970, but black women were an integral part of medicine in America long before that. Dr. Rebecca Crumpler was the first black woman in America to earn a medical degree in 1864—before the Civil War ended.
Throughout history, black women in medicine have faced dual discrimination based on both race and gender. They have worked tirelessly to achieve great work in medicine, research, advocacy, and public health.