Georgia E. L. Patton Washington

Georgia E. L. Patton Washington

Georgia E. L. Patton Washington (c. 1864 – April 25, 1900) was an African American physician and missionary, notable for being one of the first African American women to receive a medical degree in the United States and the first to practice medicine in the state of Mississippi. Her life and career were marked by her dedication to healthcare and missionary work, particularly within African American communities during the post-Civil War era.

Early Life and Education

Georgia E. L. Patton was born into slavery in Grundy County, Tennessee, around 1864, just before the end of the Civil War. After emancipation, her family moved to Nashville, where Patton pursued her education with fervor. Demonstrating an early interest in medicine, she attended Central Tennessee College (now known as Meharry Medical College), one of the few institutions offering medical education to African Americans at the time. In 1893, Patton graduated with honors, earning her medical degree and making history as one of the first African American women to do so in the United States.

Career

After obtaining her medical degree, Dr. Patton moved to Arkansas, where she began her medical practice. Her work quickly gained recognition, and she became well-known for her dedication to providing medical care to underserved African American communities. In 1893, she made history again by becoming the first African American woman to practice medicine in Mississippi.

Dr. Patton's commitment to healthcare extended beyond her medical practice. She was deeply involved in missionary work, particularly with the African Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1893, she was appointed as a missionary to Liberia by the Women's Missionary Society of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Her work in Liberia focused on providing medical care and education, emphasizing the importance of healthcare in missionary work.

Legacy

Dr. Georgia E. L. Patton Washington's legacy is a testament to her pioneering spirit and dedication to serving others. Her achievements broke racial and gender barriers in the medical field, paving the way for future generations of African American women physicians. Her work in both the United States and Liberia highlights the critical role of healthcare in missionary efforts and the importance of access to medical care for underserved communities.

Despite her early death in 1900, Dr. Patton's impact on medicine and missionary work continues to be celebrated. She remains a symbol of perseverance, dedication, and the fight for equality in healthcare.

See Also

• African American firsts
• History of medicine in the United States
• Women in medicine