Charlotte Johnson Baker

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CHARLOTTE JOHNSON BAKER

Charlotte Johnson Baker (1855–1937) was a pioneering American physician, public health advocate, and suffragist. She was one of the first female doctors in California and played a significant role in the public health and women's suffrage movements in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Early Life and Education

Charlotte Johnson was born in 1855 in Ohio. From a young age, she was determined to pursue a career in medicine, a field that was, at the time, almost exclusively male. She attended the University of Michigan, where she earned her medical degree, becoming one of the first women to do so.

Career

After completing her medical education, Dr. Baker moved to California, where she began her practice. She was the first woman to practice medicine in San Diego and quickly became a respected member of the medical community. Dr. Baker's work extended beyond her medical practice; she was deeply involved in public health initiatives, focusing on improving sanitary conditions and combating infectious diseases, which were major public health concerns at the time.

Dr. Baker was also a prominent figure in the women's suffrage movement in California. She believed that women's rights, including the right to vote, were essential for the advancement of society. Her advocacy work was instrumental in the fight for women's suffrage in California, which was achieved in 1911.

Public Health Advocacy

Dr. Baker's contributions to public health were significant. She was a strong advocate for the establishment of public health departments and was involved in the creation of the first public health department in San Diego. Her efforts in public health also included campaigns to improve child health and reduce infant mortality, which were major issues at the time.

Legacy

Charlotte Johnson Baker's legacy is one of pioneering achievements in medicine and public health, as well as in the fight for women's rights. She broke barriers for women in medicine and was a tireless advocate for public health and women's suffrage. Her work has had a lasting impact on the medical and public health fields, and she remains a significant figure in the history of women's rights in the United States.

See Also

• Women's suffrage in the United States
• History of women in medicine
• Public health