Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania

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First Female Medical College of Pennsylvania Building

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Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania

Type	Private
Active	1850–1970
Location	Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , United States
Campus	Urban

The Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania (WMCP) was the first medical school in the world established to train women in medicine and offer them the M.D. degree. It was founded in 1850 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and played a significant role in the history of women's medical education.

History

The Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania was originally founded as the Female Medical College of Pennsylvania in 1850. It was the second medical institution in the world established to train women as physicians, following the New England Female Medical College. In 1867, the institution was renamed the Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania. The college provided a rigorous medical education to women at a time when they were largely excluded from the medical profession. The college's first class graduated in 1851, and its graduates went on to become pioneers in various fields of medicine.

Notable Figures

Several notable figures are associated with the Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania:

• Ann Preston - The first woman dean of the college, serving from 1866 to 1872.
• Hannah Longshore - One of the first female graduates and a prominent physician.
• Rebecca Cole - The second African-American woman to receive a medical degree in the United States.
• Clara Marshall - Dean of the college from 1888 to 1917, who expanded the curriculum and facilities.

Merger and Legacy

In 1970, the Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania merged with Hahnemann Medical College to form the Medical College of Pennsylvania. This institution later became part of the Drexel University College of Medicine. The legacy of the Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania continues to be recognized for its pioneering role in women's medical education and its contributions to the advancement of women in the medical profession.

See Also

• Drexel University College of Medicine
• History of women in medicine
• Medical College of Pennsylvania
• New England Female Medical College