Born: December 1, 1813 (West Grove, Pennsylvania)
Died: April 18, 1872
Biography:
Ann Preston (December 1, 1813 – April 18, 1872) was an American physician, activist, and educator. She was the first woman dean of a medical school, the Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania (WMCP), which was also the first medical school in the world to admit women exclusively. Throughout her life, Preston faced numerous challenges and prejudices in her pursuit of education and equality for women.
Born in 1813 in West Grove, Pennsylvania, Ann Preston was the daughter of Amos Preston, a prosperous farmer and prominent Quaker, and his wife Margaret Smith Preston. Growing up in a Quaker community that was actively involved in the abolitionist and temperance movements, Ann was exposed to progressive ideals from a young age. The Preston family farm, known as Prestonville, was even a safe haven for escaped slaves, further shaping Ann’s commitment to social justice.
Despite her family’s support for education, Ann’s formal schooling was interrupted when she had to care for her mother during frequent illnesses. However, she continued her education through lectures at the local lyceum and became a member of the Clarkson Anti-Slavery Society. Preston began working as a schoolteacher locally and published a book of nursery rhymes, titled Cousin Ann’s Stories, in 1849.
In the 1840s, Ann Preston developed an interest in educating women about their bodies and taught all-female classes on hygiene and physiology. However, she encountered barriers when she tried to pursue formal medical education. Denied admittance to medical schools due to their policies against admitting women, Preston persevered and entered the Quaker-founded Female Medical College of Pennsylvania in 1850, at the age of 38, as a student in its inaugural class.
During her time at the Female Medical College, Preston immersed herself in the study of medicine. She wrote to her friend and fellow Quaker activist, Hannah Darlington, expressing her joy and satisfaction in exploring new knowledge and the freedom from traditional pursuits. In 1851, Ann Preston became one of eight women to be awarded a medical degree from the college.
After graduating, Dr. Preston returned to the Female Medical College for postgraduate work and was appointed as a faculty member. In 1866, she became the first woman dean of the college, later renamed the Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania in 1867. Preston’s tenure as dean was marked by her unwavering dedication to providing the best educational opportunities for her female students.
One of Preston’s notable achievements was her campaign to secure clinical lectures for her female students at the Blockley Philadelphia Hospital and the Pennsylvania Hospital. Despite facing open hostility from male medical students and sometimes even male faculty, Preston persisted in advocating for the rights of her students. Her efforts paved the way for women to gain greater access to medical education and solidified the importance of women’s contributions to the field.
In addition to her work in medical education, Ann Preston was an active participant in the women’s rights movement of the time. She believed strongly in the equality of women and fought for their right to education, professional opportunities, and reproductive autonomy. Her tireless advocacy and groundbreaking achievements continue to inspire generations of women in their pursuit of equality and recognition.