Anna Howard Shaw

Anna Howard Shaw (February 14, 1847 – July 2, 1919) was a leader of the women's suffrage movement in the United States. She was also a physician and one of the first ordained female Methodist ministers in the United States.

Early life and education

Shaw was born in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, but her family moved to the United States when she was four years old. They settled in Michigan, where Shaw spent her childhood. Despite facing financial difficulties, she managed to attend high school and later enrolled at Albion College, a Methodist institution.

In 1873, Shaw entered the Boston University School of Theology, becoming one of the first women to be admitted to a theological school in the United States. She graduated in 1878 and was ordained as a Methodist minister.

Medical career

After her ordination, Shaw decided to pursue a career in medicine. She enrolled at the Boston University School of Medicine and graduated with a medical degree in 1886. She worked as a doctor in the Boston area, focusing on women's and children's health.

Women's suffrage movement

In addition to her medical career, Shaw was deeply involved in the women's suffrage movement. She joined the National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA) in 1888 and served as its president from 1904 to 1915. Under her leadership, the NWSA made significant progress in advocating for women's right to vote.

Legacy

Shaw's contributions to the women's suffrage movement and her pioneering role in medicine and religion have left a lasting legacy. She is remembered as a trailblazer for women's rights and a role model for women in the fields of medicine and theology.