Rebecca Lee Crumpler (February 8, 1831 – March 9, 1895) was the first African-American woman to earn a medical degree in the United States. Rebecca Crumpler graduated from the New England Female Medical College in 1864. The New England Female Medical College (NEFMC) was the first school to train women in the field of medicine. Most medical schools barred Black students regardless of gender. However, she was admitted because of the heavy demand for medical care during the civil war.
Born in Delaware, Crumpler was raised by an aunt in Pennsylvania. Her aunt often helped care for sick neighbors. Inspired by her aunt, she worked as a nurse for nearly 10 years prior to acceptance into the New England Female Medical College. Dr. Crumpler practiced in Boston for a short while before moving to Richmond, Virginia after the Civil War ended in 1865. Black patients often faced discrimination from white doctors and nurses. many hospitals did not accept blacks for treatment. She collaborated with the Freedmen’s Bureau and other charity and missionary groups to care for freed African Americans.
In addition to caring for sick men and women, she learned about diseases that affected women and children. In 1883, she published a book titled, A Book of Medical Discourses in Two Parts. It features advice on treating illnesses in infants, young children, and women of childbearing age. It was common belief at the time that women were too delicate and not intelligent enough to become doctors. Besides sexism, Dr. Crumpler had to fight racism from pharmacists and other colleagues in order to treat black patients. Dr. Rebecca Crumpler is extraordinary in her achievements as a doctor and medical writer. She not only healed, but helped to prevent illness in women and children. Her book is one of the very first medical publications by an African American.