Mary A. G. Dight

American physician and suffragist

Mary A. G. Dight

Mary Augusta Greenleaf Dight (1860–1923) was an American physician and prominent advocate for women's rights, particularly in the field of women's suffrage. She was one of the early female physicians in the United States and played a significant role in advancing the status of women in medicine and society.

Early Life and Education

Mary Augusta Greenleaf was born in 1860 in Boston, Massachusetts. She was raised in a family that valued education and social reform, which influenced her later pursuits in life. Mary attended local schools in Boston and showed an early interest in the sciences.

In 1882, she enrolled at the Boston University School of Medicine, one of the few medical schools at the time that admitted women. She graduated in 1885 with a degree in medicine, becoming one of the first women to do so from this institution.

Medical Career

After obtaining her medical degree, Mary A. G. Dight began her practice in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She specialized in pediatrics and women's health, areas that were often neglected by her male counterparts. Her practice quickly gained a reputation for compassionate and effective care.

Mary was also involved in medical education, teaching courses on women's health and pediatrics. She was a member of several medical societies, including the American Medical Association and the Minnesota Medical Association.

Advocacy and Suffrage Movement

Mary A. G. Dight was a fervent supporter of the women's suffrage movement. She believed that women should have the right to vote and participate fully in civic life. Her medical background provided her with a platform to speak on issues of public health and women's rights.

She was an active member of the National American Woman Suffrage Association and worked closely with other suffragists to organize rallies and lectures. Her efforts contributed to the eventual passage of the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which granted women the right to vote in 1920.

Personal Life

Mary married Charles Fremont Dight, a fellow physician, in 1890. The couple shared a commitment to social reform and often collaborated on public health initiatives. They had two children, both of whom followed in their parents' footsteps in pursuing careers in medicine and advocacy.

Legacy

Mary A. G. Dight's contributions to medicine and women's rights have left a lasting impact. She is remembered as a pioneer who broke barriers for women in the medical profession and as a tireless advocate for gender equality.

Her work paved the way for future generations of women physicians and suffragists, and her legacy continues to inspire those who fight for social justice and equality.

Related Pages

• Women's suffrage in the United States
• History of women in medicine
• Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution