Angel+Li

Throughout the centuries, there have been numerous notable black scientists, inventors, etc. that have had an impact on society. Although, the world would be a better place if they weren't just important //black// people, but just important people in general. Why should it matter whether they were black or not? They had the ability to create, reinvent, and make the world a better place. Such abilities are invaluable and should be recognized with great respect. While there are numerous black men who have made their name in the world...what about black //women//? Rebecca Crumpler, Roger Arliner Young, Patricia Bath, they all contributed immensely to society and earned respect amongst not only their peers but broke racial and sexual barriers.

Rebecca Crumpler, born in Februrary 1831, was the first black female physician. It was only natural for her to work iin the medical field because she was raised around the sick and those who took care of them. She worked as a nurse for eight years prior to attending a women's medical college in 1860. She was the first to earn an M.D. degree. After she graduated, she went on to help numerous freed black slaves in the south that wouldn't otherwise have access to medical attention, despite the intense racism of black physicians (and black people in general) in the south after the Civil War.

Shortly after, she married Dr. Arthur Crumpler before moving back to her hometown of Boston. Not long after that, in 1883, she published a book based on her notes as a nurse. It was one of the first medical books published by an African American woman. It is remarkable that she accomplished such feats during a time where few African Americans were even admitted into college, let alone publish a book. She was no longer working in the medical field by the time she published her book.

She died at age 64 in 1895.

Roger Arliner Young, born November 9, 1899, was the first African American female to earn a doctorate degree in Zoology. She was an American scientist of many fields, such as marine biology, biology and of course zoology.