Autobiography of Hannah Longshore

Hannah Myers Longshore was a member of the first graduating class of the Female Medical College of Pennsylvania in 1852. Longshore was a member of a dedicated Quaker abolitionist family who also supported women’s rights. She married Thomas Longshore whose brother, Joseph, was a Philadelphia physician. She received tremendous support from both her husband and her brother-in-law in her desire to study medicine. In fact Joseph Longshore instructed Hannah before he became one of the founders of Female Medical College. Upon graduation Hannah Longshore faced tremendous discrimination despite the support of her family. Many doctors initially refused to consult with her, and pharmacists refused to fill her prescriptions. For a time, she had to prepare her own medicines by hand. Despite objections, Hannah Longshore offered a series of public lectures on physiology and hygiene, encouraged by women's rights leaders such as Lucretia Mott. Her practice also became successful despite the prejudice against her as a woman doctor.

The Female Medical College of Pennsylvania was the first medical school specifically established to grant degrees to women. It opened in 1850, and made it possible for women to formally train as doctors. While such a progressive step forward for women’s rights was praised by many people, there were others who were opposed to the idea of educating women and allowing them to practice as professional physicians. Hannah Longshore’s autobiography illustrates both the successes and struggles early women doctors experienced.