In 1848, The Boston Female Medical College becomes the world's first medical school specifically for women, providing formal education in issues relating to women's health. Over a decade later, it becomes the first to admit a Black woman. The college offers a two-year program and is one of few medical schools to include OBGYN training. With the school's focus on educating women, women have greater opportunity to earn formal doctoral degrees in medicine (Dr. Elizabeth Caldwell became the first American woman to earn a doctorate degree in 1849, but applied to nearly 30 medical schools before gaining acceptance due to gender discrimination). Graduates of the college struggle to gain acceptance in the professional medical field and to be offered training or professional positions in established hospitals. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ This content is from the MetroWest Health Equity Timeline. For further reading and to see our sources, visit the #MetroWestHET on our website: https://mwhealth.org/strategic-investments/health-equity (fb)

In 1845, steadfast advocacy from Black families led to new state legislation guaranteeing all Massachusetts children access to public education, and gave them the right to sue if faced with segregation and discrimination. As one account describes, "While most Nantucket Quakers were genuinely committed to ending slavery and some even favored political rights for African Americans, very few of them accepted the notion of social equality or racial integration." In the 1830s and 1840s Black Nantucketers advocate relentlessly for the desegregation of schools on the island. Edward Pompey, a Black leader on the island, sent a petition with over 100 signatures to the state legislature asking for action to end segregation. The legislature ultimately passes House Bill 45, which gave access to public education for all children in the state, and importantly, gave people the right to sue if they have been discriminated against. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ This content is from the MetroWest Health Equity Timeline. For further reading and to see our sources, visit the #MetroWestHET on our website: https://mwhealth.org/strategic-investments/health-equity (fb)