Science > Medicine Archives

Dr Attracta Rewcastle

Irish doctor, politician, and the first female Commissioned Officer in the Royal Navy

Australian pathologist who, on finding that women were not allowed to join the Australian Imperial Forces, offered her services as bacteriologist to the British Army Medical Corps. Returning to Sydney in 1920 Little established one of the first private pathology practices in New South Wales.

Edith Barrett

Edith Barrett ran a small general practice in Melbourne but devoted her energies to voluntary work concerning the health and welfare of women and children. She founded the Bush Nursing Association in 1910, with her brother James and was associated with the Red Cross from 1914-1937.

Dr Jessie D Read

American gynecologist and obstetrician, Jessie D. Read (1903-1978) received her medical degree from Long Island College Medical School in 1928, later volunteering in 1943 to serve as one of only thirteen female Army physicians.

Following her graduation, Read worked in the New York Infirmary for Women and Children in obstetrics and gynecology. She also interned at Bellevue Hospital in children and adult surgery. By 1930, Read had become a resident obstetrician at Margaret Hague Maternity Hospital in Jersey City. She opened her own practice one year later in the same city.

Read volunteered in 1943 to serve as one of only thirteen female Army physicians. Once she returned from Army life, Read formed an obstetrics and gynecology partnership in Westfield, NJ with two male colleagues. She was named a diplomat of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and became a fellow of the American College of Surgeons in 1948.

Throughout her years spent in the medical profession, Read had shown a particular interest in vaginal cytology as a diagnostic procedure. In fact, Dr. Read had been taking vaginal smears well before the routine use of the pap smear. As a result of her innovative practice, Read was named the 1966 Woman of the Year in Medicine by the New Jersey Medical Women’s Association. She was also a member of the American Medical Association, New Jersey Medical Society, New Jersey Obstetrics and Gynecology Society, and American Medical Women’s Association.

References:
Burstyn, Joan N. 1990. “Jessie D. Read”. Past and Promise, Lives of New Jersey Women. http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/54795076

Dr Vera Schectman

Vera Schectman (1890-1971) was from Odessa and emigrated to the United States, where she became a decorated doctor in Newark, New Jersey.

Dr Sophia Presley

Sophia Presley (1834-1909) was an instructor of surgery, a director of the Camden Women’s club, and was a member of the Camden County Medical Society.