Blackwell declares that if societal norms restrict women's growth and opportunities, then those norms must be fundamentally changed. She asserts that society's structure should adapt to allow for women's full potential, not the other way around, demanding transformative change.
Quote by Elizabeth Blackwell: “If society will not admit of women's free development, then society must be remodelled.”
If society will not admit of women's free development, then society must be remodelled.
Insight
Historical Context
As the first woman to earn a medical degree in the U.S., Blackwell faced immense resistance. This quote reflects her lifelong commitment to women's rights, published as the suffrage movement gained momentum and societal structures were increasingly challenged.
Verify source / Learn moreAbout the Author
British-American physician who became the first woman to receive a medical degree in the United States, graduating from Geneva Medical College in 1849. She co-founded the New York Infirmary for Indigent Women and Children and was a pioneering advocate for women in medicine.
View all quotes by Elizabeth Blackwell