Elizabeth Blackwell: the pioneering ‘first female doctor’

Elizabeth Blackwell was turned down for admission to 29 medical schools. As a result, she travelled to the schools in person. She was advised she needed to dress like a guy since women weren't allowed to attend medical school. She flatly refused.

Hobart College (formerly Geneva Medical College) accepted Blackwell by mistake, and she matriculated. Despite the fact that several doctors refused to deal with her, she persevered and graduated.

Elizabeth Blackwell was the first woman in the United States to acquire a medical degree (1849). She subsequently developed a medical practise, provided a facility for women to do medical internships (since many healthcare institutions didn't accept women), treated disadvantaged families, and founded the first women's medical college.