Elizabeth Blackwell was a leader ever since she was a child. She was born in England in 1821 and emigrated to New York City when she was eleven years old. During Elizabeth's childhood she took all the subjects the boys did at school. Nothing ever stopped her from being first. She wouldn't leave until all of her writing was perfect.

When Elizabeth was ready to start college she applyed to many colleges. Before applying to college she had gone to many teachers' houses and trained with them. After many tries, she finally was the first women accepted to Geneva Medical College. Even though she was accepted, the school did not seem to take her seriously. Elizabeth suprised them all and graduated from Geneva Medical College in 1849.

After she finished college she went to France to get more training. Elizabeth tried to enter La Maternite as a student apprentice. Even though the hospital did not recognize her degree, they let her be a nurse. While she was working there she got to help some doctors. One time she was called to take care of a baby whose eyes were infected. When she bent over the baby, some of the liquid squirted into her own eye. It got infected and resulted in her losing sight in that eye. Even losing her sight, however, did not stop her.

After she recovered she came home to the US. Within no time she tried to start her own hospital. A big problem was that no one wanted to see a female doctor. After she treated each patient they would spread the word about how good she was, and soon lots of people were coming to her. When her sister Emily finished medical school she came to help at the hospital Elizabeth was working at. Together, with the help of an assistant, they sent up a medical school for women.

Fun Facts:
Elizabeth adopted a girl named kitty. She knew Kitty from when she worked at a hospital/orphanage.

Elizabeth was friends with Florence Nightingale who is famous for making war hospitals better.