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History Lecture - Pathfinder: How Chester County’s Ann Preston Blazed the Trail for Woman Doctors

In 1850, the Female Medical College of Pennsylvania was founded in Philadelphia as the first fully authorized medical school in the world for women to earn an MD. It was established by a group of progressive Quakers and businessmen from southeastern Pennsylvania that believed women had a right to advanced education in medicine. Within two years of opening its doors, though, it was faced with utter failure—until one determined Quaker lady stepped up to keep the dream alive, against all odds. This is the story of Chester County's Dr. Ann Preston, one of the nation's first woman doctors and the first woman dean of a medical school in American history.

This lecture will be presented by Jennifer Green, Director of Education at the Chester County History Center