Elizabeth Blackwell

It is not easy to be a pioneer—but oh, it is glorious!

If society will not admit of women's free development, then society must be remodelled.

The idea of winning a medical education, in spite of all the obstacles which would be thrown in the way, became a fixed idea in my mind.

For a good many years I was the only woman doctor in the world.

The great problem of the day is how to bring up children.

I must have a profession, and to me, medicine is the only one that offers a field for women.

The study of medicine is a serious business, and not to be trifled with.

The more I study, the more I feel the immensity of the field of knowledge.

It is not enough to open the doors of medical schools to women; we must also open the doors of hospitals and dispensaries.

The duty of the physician is to prevent disease as well as to cure it.

No one can understand the true nature of disease without understanding the laws of health.

The highest aim of medicine is to teach people how to live so as not to need a physician.

The great secret of health and happiness is to live in harmony with nature.

The true physician is a teacher, not merely a healer.

The world is not ready for women doctors, but it will be.

I do not ask for any favor, but for justice.

The path to progress is never smooth.

Every advance in civilization has been met with resistance.

The education of women is the most important question of the age.

The physical and moral health of society depends upon the health of its women.