Mary Barker Bates

Mary Barker Bates

Mary Barker Bates (1869–1954) was an American physician and medical missionary known for her work in China during the early 20th century. She played a significant role in the development of medical services and education in the region, particularly focusing on women's health and child welfare.

Early Life and Education

Mary Barker Bates was born in 1869 in New York City. She pursued her medical education at the Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania, where she graduated with a degree in medicine in 1894. Her early interest in missionary work led her to join the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions (ABCFM).

Medical Missionary Work in China

In 1895, Bates traveled to China under the auspices of the ABCFM. She was stationed in Foochow, where she worked at the Foochow Union Medical College. Bates was instrumental in establishing medical facilities and training programs for local women, who were often excluded from receiving medical education.

Contributions to Women's Health

Bates focused on improving women's health in China, addressing issues such as maternal and child health, gynecological care, and public health education. She established clinics and organized training programs for midwives and nurses, significantly improving the healthcare infrastructure in the region.

Child Welfare Initiatives

In addition to her work with women's health, Bates was deeply involved in child welfare. She founded several orphanages and schools, providing education and healthcare to children in need. Her efforts helped to reduce infant mortality rates and improve the overall health of children in the communities she served.

Later Life and Legacy

After nearly four decades of service in China, Bates returned to the United States in the early 1930s. She continued to advocate for international medical missions and women's health until her death in 1954. Her legacy is remembered through the institutions she helped to establish and the countless lives she touched through her work.

See Also

• Medical Missionary
• Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania
• American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions
• Foochow Union Medical College