Elizabeth Blackwell: A Doctor's Triumph Nancy Kline. Berkeley, CA: Conari Press, 1997. Distributed by Raincoast Books. 180 pp., paper, $9.95. ISBN 1-57324-057-5. Subject Headings: Blackwell, Elizabeth, 1821-1910-Juvenile literature. Women physicians-United States-Biography-Juvenile literature. Grades 10 and up / Ages 15 and up. Review by Grace Shaw. *** /4

excerpt:

I understand now why this life has never been lived before. It is hard with no support but a high purpose, to live against every species of social opposition.

      Elizabeth Blackwell's story is indeed a story of triumph, and, for twentieth century women who take for granted both the medical services system and the fact that a woman can be whatever she wants to be, it is a reminder of whence they have come.

      Middle-class nineteenth century women stayed at home where they supposedly belonged. However unsanitary, the practice of medicine was an inviolable men's club. No nice young lady would even contemplate looking under skirts at disgusting body parts.

      Nancy Kline has written an engaging, touching story of Blackwell's struggle against hardship and discrimination. With Elizabeth's view that the future of women in medicine and the future of society were inexorably one, endure she must.

      Blackwell's legacy as the first North American woman physician and a crusader for public health and prevention deserves to be known.

Highly Recommended.

Grace Shaw is an instructor at Vancouver Community College.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

Copyright © 1997 the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.

Published by
The Manitoba Library Association
ISSN 1201-9364

TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THIS ISSUE - JUNE 20, 1997.

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