Photo Archive of Women Students at Duke University School of Medicine

[Medical School], [Women Education]

Photo Archive

[Women Education] [Medical School] Photo archive of women students at Duke University School of Medicine, Class of 1950. Consist of 23 original Gelatin silver print black and white photos. 3 x 4 ¼ inches. c. 1940s-1950. Images show students at work in blood banks, in labs, studying, and relaxing between classes. Includes photos of school buildings, such a the Medical School entrance, in addition to several instructors. Some include handwritten captions, giving a little more information, such as a picture of the “Class of 1950” with 8 women and 1 man identified: “Bev, Helen, Belle, Monkey, Noni, Ann, Betty, Joann, Bill”. Other captions include names of doctors, instructors, fellow students, and the type of work being done in images, such as “Bev - vaccine” and “Beth Bueliner - Blood Bank”. Other photos identify the subject as the Media Lab, Chemistry Lab, working with EKG, and studying Hematology (blood). Students outside of medical school entrance. Photos of a quick break, grabbing a coffee and snack of animal crackers.

Although women had participated in the informal practice of medicine for hundreds of years, there were relatively few women studying medicine in the United States at this time. By 1900, only about a dozen medical schools had opened to coeducation, and female graduates often found themselves unable to access training hospitals and professional associations. The trailblazing young women in these photos, whom we see performing experiments and examining patients, bucked the trend of their generation to become doctors. Early images of women in medicine are very rare, and a fine addition to a collection. Very good condition.

Item #16666

Price: $425.00