Birth, Religion and Early Life
editBirth
editShe was born on February 22, 1820 in New York City at 205 Hudson Street, to Phoebe (née Magnus) and David Cohen of England. She later married Dr. Aaron Cohen in New York and they had five children together.[1][2]
Early Life
editAfter the death of her first son to measles, she devoted her life to medicine – citing that more should have been done to save her son. She therefore decided to “become a doctor [herself] and help mothers to keep their little ones well.” She challenged the contemporary Jewish stereotype that sons should be the ones who chased professional attainments such as becoming doctors.[1][3]
Religion
editShe had no obvious display of Judaism during her life, but her dedication to her faith was rendered clear in a written statement she made in 1902 to her brother: "I am not sure what I will have in the hereafter, so I am trying to enjoy what is given to me here … I am … trying my very best to be good according to my ideas of goodness—that is to live in the fear of God and keeping his ten commandments.".[4] Her choice in infirmary following her retirement in 1887 solidified her dedication to Judaism.[3]
Medical School
editFollowing the death of her first son from measles,[1] she attended medical school in Philadelphia starting in 1853 at the Female Medical College of Pennsylvania.[1][3] She applied and was accepted into medical school in Philadelphia in 1854 at the Female Medical College of Pennsylvania, which is now renamed to the Philadelphia college of osteopathic medicine. This was during a time where women professionals, especially in medicine – were severely frowned upon. She later graduated in 1857, 5th in her class of 36, her thesis was titled "Prolapsus Uteri".[5][6]
Medical Career
editShe shortly relocated to join her husband in New Orleans. She immediately gained the attention of the city’s medical society, and was greeted with enthusiasm. For thirty years from 1857 to 1887, she cared for the people of the French Quarter of New Orleans in a period which was marked by periodic epidemics of yellow fever and smallpox.[7]
During the majority of her service, she treated mostly women and children in a private medical practice she had established. She recalled and described it as “attend[ing] to families through generations.” She was also quoted as saying “They needed me, when I came here” in a Times-Picayune interview. Despite these achievements, she still faced heavy discrimination and was consequently listed in the city directory as a midwife in 1867. She was then incleded as a “doctress,” in 1869. It wasn’t until the year 1876 when she finally received the title of M.D, as Mrs. Elizabeth Cohen, physician.[1]
She retired from her practice in 1887.[8] During her New Orleans Times-Picayune interview, she recalled having to ask the registrar to “M.D. after [her] name” while being admitted as a resident of the Touro Infirmary’s “Department of the Aged and Infirm” in 1888. During her time there, she volunteered in the sewing and linen room.[8]
Stance on Women’s Rights
editIn an interview in February 1920 for her 100th birthday, she made it very clear that she was still invested in current events. She was particularly interested in the 19th amendment that was to be implemented later that year. She was quoted as saying “I’m glad to see the girls of today getting an education,” “In my youth you had to fight for it…. And I believe in suffrage, too – things will be better when women can vote and can protect their own property and their own children. Even if I am a hundred, I’m for votes for women.”[9]
Death
editDr. Cohen died in New Orleans, Louisiana on May 28, 1921, at the age of 101. She was buried at Gates of Prayer Cemetery in New Orleans. Her tombstone included M.D. after her name.[10]
- ^ a b c "Changing the face of Medicine". Changing the face of Medicine. 03 June 2015. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Hérmad, Ned (2010). "NEW ORLEANS NOSTALGIA: Remembering New Orleans History, Culture and Traditions" (PDF). New Orleans Bar Association.
- ^ a b Kahn, Catherine (2009). Jewish Women: A Comprehensive Historical Encyclopedia. Jewish Women's Archive.
- ^ "Elizabeth D. A. Cohen | Jewish Women's Archive". jwa.org. Retrieved 2017-11-28.
- ^ Abrahams, Harold (1966). Extinct Medical Schools of Nineteenth-Century Philadelphia. University of Pennsylvania Press. p. 220.
- ^ "Medical and Surgical Reporter (1858-1898)". Medical and Surgical Reporter. 1869 – via ProQuest.
- ^ "Elizabeth D.A. Magnus Cohen". www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org. Retrieved 2017-11-28.
- ^ a b Jewish women in America : an historical encyclopedia. Hyman, Paula, 1946-2011., Moore, Deborah Dash, 1946-, Weisbard, Phyllis Holman., American Jewish Historical Society. New York: Routledge. 1997. pp. 243–44. ISBN 9780415919364. OCLC 37220869.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link) - ^ "New Orleans Times-Picayune". Feb. 22, 1920.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Dr Elizabeth D. A. Magnus Cohen Cohen (1820-1921)..." www.findagrave.com. Retrieved 2017-11-28.