Elizabeth Blackwell was born on February 3, 1821 in Bristol, England. Her father was a rich sugar businessman at the time. Because her parents thought boys and girls should be equal, Elizabeth received the same education as her brothers. 

In 1832, her father's business was destroyed by fire, so her family moved to New York City. But her father's business there failed. Then in 1837, the family moved to Cincinnati, Ohio. Not long after, her father died. After her father's death, Elizabeth, at the age of 16, had to go to work. 

When she was 24, she visited her dying friend Mary. Her friend said, "You're young and strong, you should become a doctor." That was nearly impossible for a woman in the middle of the nineteenth century. But she knew this was what she was going to do. 

After several rejections from medical schools, she finally was accepted by Geneva Medical College. By studying hard, she graduated successfully in 1849. 

After graduating from medical school, she went to Paris to learn more about medicine. She wanted to be a surgeon, but a serious eye problem forced her to give up the idea. 

When she returned to America in 1851, she found it difficult to start her own practice because she was a woman. In 1857, Elizabeth and her sister, also a doctor, along with another woman doctor, managed to open a new hospital, the first for women and children. Besides, she also set up the first medical school for women in 1868, where she taught the women students about disease prevention. It was the first time that the idea of preventing disease was taught in a medical school. 

Elizabeth Blackwell started the British National Health Society in 1871, which helped people learn how to stay healthy. In 1889, Elizabeth Blackwell became the first woman doctor in the United States. Most importantly, she fought for the admission of women to medical colleges. 

Elizabeth Blackwell died on May 3, 1910, when she was 89.She opened a world of chances for women. She always fought for what was right in all her life. In 1949 the Blackwell medal was established. It's given to women who have excellent achievements in the field of medicine. She'll always be remembered as a great woman.
how old was elizabeth when she had to go to work? what was her father's business destroyed by? where did her family move to? when was Elizabeth born? what was her last name? what city was she born in? was her father a businessman? was her father successful in new york city? how old was she when she visited her friend? what was her friends name? where did her family move to after NYC? what year was that? what did Elizabeth want to be? when did she graduate medical school? where did she go next? what medical school did she graduate from? what type of doctor did she want to be? did she open a hospital in America? what kept her from being a surgeon? when did she open the hospital?
16 fire New York City February 3, 1821 Blackwell Bristol Her father was a rich sugar businessman No 24 Mary Cincinnati 1837 a doctor 1849 Paris Geneva Medical College a surgeon Yes a serious eye problem 1857