Elizabeth Garrett Anderson was the first woman officially approved to practice medicine in Great Britain, and was a pioneer in opening education in medicine to women.
In 1859, Garrett met Elizabeth Black-well, the first woman in America to graduate from a regular medical school. She was inspired by her to try and become a doctor too. However, she was told that, no medical school would accept her, so she started to work as a surgical nurse. She used the opportunity to attend surgical procedures, and gain some of the training given to medical students. At the end of her three-month trial period, she unofficially became a medical student. However, it was only after many setbacks and rejections that she managed to finally qualify and get her name on the medical register.
Garrett opened a dispensary for women in London, and also maintained a strong interest in the reform of education. After becoming England’s first female doctor, the first female M.D. in France, the first female member of the British Medical Association and the first female dean of a medical school, Elizabeth Garrett Anderson also became Britain’s first female mayor. Her life was truly a distinguished one!