Born: 1855 (Carriden, Bo’ness)
Biography:
Grace Ross Cadell was a Scottish doctor and suffragist who made significant contributions to the field of medicine and women’s rights. Born on October 25, 1855, in Carriden, Bo’ness, Grace was the oldest of four daughters of George Philip Cadell, the superintendent of the local coalworks, and Martina Duncanson Fleming.
In 1886, Grace and her sister Martha became part of the first group of women to study medicine at the Edinburgh School of Medicine for Women, established by Sophia Jex-Blake. The school provided lectures at Surgeons’ Square and clinical teaching at Leith Hospital. However, Jex-Blake’s strict disciplinary rules would soon lead to a confrontation with Grace.
On June 8, 1888, Grace and Martha stayed at the hospital past the designated time to attend to a patient with a head injury. When Jex-Blake discovered this breach of her rules, she expelled the Cadell sisters from the school. Unwilling to accept this decision, Grace and Martha decided to take legal action against Jex-Blake and the school, claiming £500 in damages.
The court ruled in the Cadell sisters’ favor in July 1890, awarding each of them £50 in damages. This publicized incident was a significant setback for Jex-Blake and her school, which brought to light the need for fair treatment and equal opportunities for women in medicine.
Following their expulsion, Grace and Martha joined Elsie Inglis to establish the Edinburgh College of Medicine for Women on Chambers Street. This institution provided a more inclusive and supportive environment for female medical students. Grace excelled academically, winning the medal for medical jurisprudence.
In 1891, Grace Cadell qualified as a physician and surgeon after passing the examinations for the ‘Triple Qualification’ in medicine, surgery, and obstetrics. Throughout her career, she dedicated herself to the care of women and children, advocating for their well-being and rights.
Grace became actively involved in the suffragette movement, fighting for women’s right to vote. She was known for her public acts of defiance in the cause of suffrage and provided medical care and refuge for her fellow suffragettes. Some suffragettes, who had been subjected to force-feeding in prison, were released directly into Grace’s care, turning her home into a sanctuary for these brave women.
Grace Cadell played a significant role in promoting women’s rights and challenging the male-dominated medical and societal norms of her time. Through her medical practice and activism, she contributed to the advancement of women in the field of medicine and fought for their right to be treated as equals in all aspects of society.