Alice Vickery

Alice Vickery cropped

Alice Vickery (1844–1929) was a pioneering figure in the fields of public health, feminism, and birth control in the United Kingdom. She was among the first British women to qualify as a pharmacist and was a vocal advocate for women's rights, particularly in the areas of healthcare and reproductive freedom.

Early Life and Education

Alice Vickery was born in 1844. From an early age, she showed a keen interest in the sciences, a field not widely accessible to women at the time. Despite societal norms that discouraged women from pursuing higher education and professional careers, Vickery was determined to break these barriers. She pursued her education in pharmacy, a rare feat for a woman in the 19th century, and qualified as a pharmacist, setting the stage for her lifelong commitment to healthcare and social reform.

Career and Advocacy

Throughout her career, Vickery was deeply involved in public health initiatives and was a staunch advocate for women's rights. Her work in the pharmacy field was just the beginning of her contributions to healthcare and social reform. Vickery was particularly passionate about improving women's access to healthcare and education, believing that knowledge and healthcare were fundamental rights.

One of her most significant contributions was in the area of birth control. Vickery worked closely with other prominent figures in the birth control movement, such as Annie Besant and Charles Bradlaugh, advocating for the rights of women to have access to contraception. This was a controversial stance at the time, as contraception was a taboo subject and often illegal. Vickery's advocacy work played a crucial role in the early birth control movement, paving the way for future advancements in women's reproductive rights.

Personal Life

Alice Vickery's personal life was also marked by her commitment to social reform. She was in a long-term relationship with Charles Robert Drysdale, a physician and fellow advocate for birth control and public health. Together, they had three children and collaborated on various public health and social reform initiatives.

Legacy

Alice Vickery's contributions to public health, feminism, and the birth control movement left a lasting impact on society. Her pioneering work helped to challenge and change societal norms regarding women's roles in healthcare and society. Vickery's legacy is remembered as one of courage, dedication, and groundbreaking achievements in the face of considerable societal opposition.

See Also

• History of birth control
• Women in medicine
• Feminism in the United Kingdom