Clara Swain

Clara Swain (1834–1910) was a pioneering physician and missionary who is best known for being the first female medical missionary in India. She was instrumental in establishing the first hospital for women in India, which later became the Swain Memorial Hospital.

Early Life and Education

Clara Swain was born on July 18, 1834, in Elmira, New York. She was one of the ten children of John and Clarissa Swain. Her father was a carpenter and her mother was a homemaker. Clara was educated at the local school and showed an early interest in medicine.

In 1854, she enrolled in the Women's Medical College of Pennsylvania, one of the few medical schools that accepted women at the time. She graduated in 1856 and began her medical practice in New Jersey.

Medical Missionary Work

In 1869, Clara Swain was appointed by the Woman's Union Missionary Society to serve as a medical missionary in Bareilly, India. She was the first woman to be sent overseas as a medical missionary.

In India, Clara focused on providing medical care to women and children, who were often neglected in the traditional healthcare system. She established a small dispensary in Bareilly, which quickly grew in popularity. Recognizing the need for a larger facility, she proposed the idea of a hospital for women and children to the local ruler, the Nawab of Rampur. He agreed and donated land for the hospital, which was completed in 1874. The hospital was later named the Swain Memorial Hospital in her honor.

Later Life and Legacy

Clara Swain returned to the United States in 1885 due to ill health. She continued to advocate for women's health and missionary work until her death in 1910.

Clara Swain's pioneering work in India paved the way for future female medical missionaries and significantly improved healthcare for women and children in India. Her legacy continues to inspire and influence medical missionaries around the world.