Lucy Ellen Sewall
Contents
Notes
Office Notes
House Notes
proposed 1868.09.01 - did they know she was a woman?! no, it's L.E. Sewall Esq. MD in printed lists
1880.02.24 The resignation of Dr Lucy Sewall was read and accepted
Notes From Elsewhere
Dr Lucy Ellen Sewall was born 9th April 1837 in Massachusetts, the daughter of Dr Samuel Edward Sewall and Louisa M nee Winslow.
Lucy Ellen was a physician and activist for health and social reform in Boston. She was one of the earliest women to get a US Medical degree and to pursue her medical studies in Europe.
In 1856 The New England female Medical College had been founded, followed in 1862 by the opening of the New England Hospital for Women and Children, by Dr Marie Zakrzewska, 1829-1902). Lucy Ellen Sewall became a resident physician at the New England Hospital from 1863 to 1869, before taking over from Marie Zakrzewska.
Not only did she undertake patient care in the dispensary, she handled the management of the hospital, and also instructed students. Her social position and medical competence helped to gain acceptance for other women doctors and for the New England hospital in its formative years.
She continued to serve the hospital as an attending physician until her health failed in 1888, she died 13th February 1890.
As a leader in the Women’s Medical Movement in America, Lucy Ellen and the movement were influential with British women in the British medical movement and their struggle to gain medical training
