Susan McKinney Steward

American physician and educator

Susan Maria McKinney Steward (March 1847 – March 17, 1918) was a pioneering African American physician and educator. She was the first African American woman to earn a medical degree in New York State and the third in the United States. Her work as a physician, community leader, and advocate for women's rights and racial equality left a lasting impact on the medical field and society.

Early life and education

Susan McKinney Steward

Susan McKinney was born in March 1847 in Brooklyn, New York City, to parents Sylvanus and Anne McKinney. Her family was part of the free African American community in Brooklyn, and they were active in the abolitionist movement. McKinney attended the New York Medical College for Women, where she graduated as valedictorian in 1870.

Medical career

After obtaining her medical degree, McKinney Steward established a successful private practice in Brooklyn. She specialized in the care of women and children, and her practice attracted a diverse clientele. In addition to her private practice, she served as a physician at the Brooklyn Home for Aged Colored People and the Brooklyn Woman's Homeopathic Hospital and Dispensary.

McKinney Steward was also involved in public health initiatives and was a member of the Kings County Homeopathic Medical Society. Her contributions to medicine extended beyond her practice, as she was a frequent speaker at medical conferences and community events, advocating for better healthcare for African Americans and women.

Advocacy and community involvement

Throughout her life, McKinney Steward was deeply involved in social justice causes. She was a member of the Women's Christian Temperance Union and the National Association of Colored Women. Her advocacy work focused on improving the lives of African Americans and women, particularly in the areas of education and healthcare.

In 1911, she married Theophilus Gould Steward, a prominent minister and chaplain in the United States Army. Together, they traveled extensively, and McKinney Steward continued her advocacy work, speaking at various events and conferences.

Later life and legacy

Gravestone of Susan McKinney Steward at Green-Wood Cemetery

Susan McKinney Steward passed away on March 17, 1918, in Brooklyn, New York. She was buried in Green-Wood Cemetery, where her gravestone stands as a testament to her contributions to medicine and society.

Her legacy is remembered through various honors and recognitions. The Susan Smith McKinney Steward Medical Society, named in her honor, continues to support African American women in medicine. Her life and work remain an inspiration to those advocating for equality and justice in healthcare and beyond.

Related pages

• African American women in medicine
• History of women in medicine
• Women's rights movement