Have you peeped Google today? It's all about Elizabeth Blackwell, a famed, British-born physician.
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The search engine site, which sometimes uses its homepage to honor prominent figures, is highlighting the doctor to celebrate her on what would have been her 197th birthday.
Born Feb. 3, 1821 in the United Kingdom, she and her family migrated to America in the 1830s. She and her siblings began careers as teachers, and Blackwell became an abolitionist, even starting a Sunday school for slaves.
The instructor later gravitated towards medicine after the death of a friend. Despite her interests and talents, she was rejected from several medical schools. Some even suggested she disguise herself as a man to gain admittance. Finally in 1847, she was accepted into Geneva Medical School, now Hobart University, and became the first woman to receive a medical degree in the United States.
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She was a pioneer for women in health and founded a women-governed infirmary and two medical colleges for women. Throughout her career, she also mentored several girls.
In 1949, the American Medical Women's Association began awarding the Elizabeth Blackwell Medal annually to women physicians, and in 1974, she was commemorated with a U.S. postage stage. Now Google is paying tribute.
“Today’s Doodle is by illustrator Harriet Lee Merrion – who happens to be based in Bristol and regularly cycles past the house where Elizabeth grew up! Her illustration shows Blackwell in the midst of her pioneering practice and celebrates the significant positive impact she had on the lives of people around the world,” Google wrote.
Check out her animation in the doodle archives.
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