The Echoes of History: How a 19th-Century Medical College Mirrors Today’s Battles Over Women’s Rights
There’s something profoundly unsettling—and yet, oddly hopeful—about the way history repeats itself. Take, for instance, the story of the Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania, America’s first institution to train women as doctors, which opened its doors in 1850. On the surface, it’s a tale of progress: a school that admitted women regardless of race, class, or nationality. But dig deeper, and you’ll find a narrative that feels eerily familiar to anyone following today’s debates over women’s health, education, and autonomy.
A Microcosm of Resistance and Resilience
What makes this story particularly fascinating is the diversity of its students. Among them were a formerly enslaved woman from South Carolina, an Indigenous woman from the Omaha Tribe, and international students from India, Japan, Russia, and Syria. Personally, I think this cast of characters isn’t just a historical footnote—it’s a testament to the power of education as a tool for liberation. But it’s also a reminder of the barriers these women faced. For instance, Kei Okami, the Japanese student, arrived in Philadelphia already trained in traditional Japanese medicine, only to find her knowledge dismissed in favor of Western practices. This raises a deeper question: How often do we still marginalize traditional knowledge systems in the name of progress?
The Intersection of Medicine and Politics
One thing that immediately stands out is the college’s curriculum, which included a legal component focused on medical issues, particularly abortion. Dr. Anna Elizabeth Broomall, an obstetrics instructor, even staged mock trials to prepare students for the legal challenges they’d face. Fast forward to today, and the parallels are striking. In states where abortion is illegal, medical training often excludes miscarriage care—because, as Broomall’s character points out, the procedures are the same. What this really suggests is that the battles fought in the 19th century over women’s bodies are still being waged today, just with different weapons.
The Comstock Act: A Zombie Law That Won’t Die
What many people don’t realize is that the Comstock Act, a 153-year-old law that once prohibited the mailing of birth control, has made a resurgence in recent debates over abortion access. Just weeks before the play The Woman Question opened at People’s Light Theatre, a pro-life group called for its enforcement to restrict access to the abortion drug mifepristone. If you take a step back and think about it, this isn’t just about reproductive rights—it’s about control. The same forces that sought to limit women’s autonomy in the 1800s are still at work today, cloaked in modern rhetoric but driven by the same patriarchal impulses.
Joy in the Face of Adversity
A detail that I find especially interesting is the play’s emphasis on the students’ joy and camaraderie. Despite the pressures they faced, these women found ways to celebrate life—through costume parties, poetry, and singing. From my perspective, this is a crucial part of the story. It’s easy to focus on the struggles, but what makes these women’s lives so compelling is their ability to find light in the darkness. It’s a reminder that resistance isn’t just about fighting back—it’s also about holding onto humanity in the face of oppression.
Why This Matters Now
In my opinion, The Woman Question isn’t just a historical drama; it’s a mirror held up to our current moment. The play’s urgency lies in its ability to connect the dots between past and present, showing how the struggles of these 19th-century women are still relevant today. Whether it’s the fight for reproductive rights, the marginalization of traditional knowledge, or the resilience of women in the face of adversity, the themes resonate deeply. What this play really suggests is that history isn’t just a record of the past—it’s a blueprint for the future.
Final Thoughts
As I reflect on this story, I’m struck by how little has changed—and yet, how much we’ve gained. The women of the Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania paved the way for generations to come, but their battles are far from over. Personally, I think the most powerful takeaway is this: progress is never linear. It’s messy, it’s cyclical, and it requires constant vigilance. But if history has taught us anything, it’s that even in the darkest times, there’s always room for hope—and for joy.
