Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Essay

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Alejandra Bermudez
British Studies Term Paper
Elizabeth Garrett Anderson
October 18, 2012

Alejandra Bermudez
Term Paper
October 18, 2012
Elizabeth Garrett Anderson
Elizabeth Garrett Anderson is often considered to be one of the most significant women in the history of medicine and society, her work is often considered to be a turning point in history. She refused to accept a domestic role and who fought to change the prevalent Victorian attitude that women and men could not be equal. She was the first female doctor in Britain, helped to establish the women's suffrage movement, and provided inspiration to her contemporaries and to those who followed in her footsteps. Over the years she has made a major impact not only in the …show more content…
Despite her success, she realized that without a medical degree she would never be taken seriously by the male-dominated profession. Unable to obtain an MD in Britain, “she taught herself French and moved to Paris, where she was successful in becoming an MD at the University of Paris in 1870” (Brooks 26-28). Throughout her endeavor to gain professional recognition, Garrett was increasingly committed to equality for women. In 1865, “she and ten others, including Emily Davies, Dorothea Beale and Barbara Bodichon, formed a women's discussion group called the Kensington Society” (Spartacus Education). All the members of the Society were trying to pursue careers in the male professions of medicine and education. Their discussions inevitably centered around women's lack of influence in society and turned to Parliamentary reform as a first step towards equality. The concept of universal suffrage was born.
“In 1866, the Kensington Society organized a petition of 1,500 signatures, asking Parliament to grant equal voting rights for men and women” (Manton). Women's suffrage was supported by many Members of Parliament, most notably John Stuart Mill and Henry Fawcett. “Mill added an amendment to the Reform Act that would give women the same political rights as men, but the amendment was defeated by 196 votes to 73”(Manton). The Kensington Society decided to fight on and
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