Caroline Still Anderson

Caroline Still Anderson circa 1890 (cropped)

Caroline Still Anderson (1848–1919) was an American physician, educator, and activist. She was one of the first African American women to earn a medical degree in the United States and was a prominent figure in the African American community during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Early Life and Education

Caroline Still was born on November 1, 1848, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was the daughter of William Still, a noted abolitionist and conductor on the Underground Railroad, and Letitia George Still. Caroline was raised in a family deeply committed to the fight against slavery and the advancement of African Americans.

Caroline attended the Institute for Colored Youth (now Cheyney University of Pennsylvania), where she excelled academically. She later attended Oberlin College in Ohio, one of the first colleges in the United States to admit African American students. She graduated from Oberlin in 1868 with a degree in classical studies.

Medical Career

After completing her undergraduate education, Caroline Still pursued a career in medicine. She enrolled in the Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania (now part of Drexel University College of Medicine), one of the few medical schools at the time that accepted women. She graduated in 1878, becoming one of the first African American women to earn a medical degree in the United States.

Dr. Anderson established a successful medical practice in Philadelphia, where she specialized in the treatment of women and children. She was also involved in various medical and social organizations, including the Women's Christian Temperance Union and the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs.

Personal Life

In 1878, Caroline Still married Edward A. Anderson, a prominent African American lawyer and politician. The couple had several children and were active members of the African American community in Philadelphia. Caroline and Edward Anderson were both involved in the African Methodist Episcopal Church and supported various social and educational causes.

Activism and Legacy

Throughout her life, Caroline Still Anderson was dedicated to the advancement of African Americans and women. She was a strong advocate for education and worked tirelessly to improve the lives of those in her community. Her contributions to medicine, education, and social justice have left a lasting impact on American society.

Caroline Still Anderson passed away on June 1, 1919, in Philadelphia. She is remembered as a trailblazer in the fields of medicine and education and as a champion for the rights of African Americans and women.

See Also

• African American history
• Women in medicine
• Abolitionism in the United States
• Oberlin College
• Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania