This spring, HSP is partnering with the Drexel University College of Medicine Archives to explore medical practices throughout our history with a focus on women physicians’ struggles to gain acceptance. Join this workshop to uncover primary sources documenting the history of women in medicine as well as the medical practices of doctors from the Revolutionary War through World War I.

This exploration into a world of bloodletting, amputation, and ingesting poison tells the story of medical triumphs and pitfalls during some of our nation’s most difficult times. Read the stories of women who risked their lives to practice medicine and doctors on the front lines of war. These stories help shape the broader picture of our national story and engage students in the lives of average citizens hoping to increase the quality of life through medicine. Stories will include a Veterinarian who helped capture Jefferson Davis during the Civil War, a family man forced to the front lines as a medic during WWI, a Red Cross Army Nurse scrapbook, and stories of public outrage over “she doctors” in the 19^th century, including the story of two African American women doctors who had very different experiences in South Carolina. Our first ten registrants will even receive a copy of Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier.

Act 48 credit is available and this program is in conjunction with The Awful Harvest at Gettysburg. Attendees of both programs will receive a discount.

This program is part of One Book, One Philadelphia—A project of the Free Library of Philadelphia.