Born: May 1, 1831 (Norwich Township, Oxford County, Ontario)
Died: April 30, 1903
Biography:
Emily Howard Stowe (née Jennings; May 1, 1831 – April 30, 1903) was a Canadian physician who paved the way for women in the medical field. As the first female physician to practice in Canada and the second licensed female physician in the country, she made significant contributions to both healthcare and women’s rights.
Born in Norwich Township, Oxford County, Ontario, Emily Jennings was raised in a progressive community that encouraged women’s participation and education. Her mother, Hannah Howard, who had received her education at a Quaker seminary in the United States, taught Emily and her five sisters various skills, including herbal healing. This early exposure to alternative medicine would later shape Stowe’s career.
In her pursuit of equality for women, Stowe’s journey began when she applied for admission to Victoria College in Cobourg, Ontario in 1852. Unfortunately, her application was rejected due to her gender. Undeterred, she then applied to the Normal School for Upper Canada in Toronto, founded by Egerton Ryerson. Stowe graduated with first-class honors in 1854, becoming an influential figure in education. She became a principal at a public school in Brantford, Ontario, making her the first woman to hold such a position in Upper Canada.
Emily Stowe married John Fiuscia Michael Heward Stowe in 1856 and had three children. However, tragedy struck when her husband developed tuberculosis, reigniting her interest in medicine. Drawing upon her knowledge of herbal remedies and homeopathic medicine, Stowe made the courageous decision to pursue a career as a doctor.
In 1865, Stowe faced rejection when she attempted to enter the Toronto School of Medicine, as women were not allowed admittance. Undeterred, she traveled to the United States and enrolled in the homeopathic New York Medical College for Women. In 1867, she earned her medical degree and returned to Canada to open her own practice in Toronto, specializing in the treatment of women and children. Stowe’s practice gained recognition through public lectures on women’s health and newspaper advertisements, establishing her as a prominent figure in the field.
In the mid-1860s, Canada introduced new licensing requirements for medical professionals, including homeopathic doctors and those trained in the United States. These requirements necessitated additional courses and examinations. In 1869, Stowe applied to the University of Toronto to study chemistry, vying to further expand her medical expertise. However, her application was rejected due to her gender.
Undeterred by this setback, Stowe focused her efforts on advocating for women’s rights. She played a pivotal role in establishing the women’s suffrage movement in Canada and actively campaigned for the country’s first medical college for women. Stowe’s dedication to the advancement of women in medicine and society paved the way for future generations of female physicians and activists.