Elizabeth Blackwell

"I am proud to have been a pioneer for women's equality in medicine."

"The barriers to women's success are often more psychological than real."

"I have always maintained that women are the equals of men in every way."

"My life has been an argument for women's rights and equality."

"I refuse to accept limitations placed on women by society."

"The future belongs to women who are brave enough to claim it."

"The true profession of a woman is motherhood, but that should not preclude her from any other profession she may feel called to."

"I have always been aware of the fact that my individual person is just the individual person of one among millions."

"The obstacles which I have encountered only impel me to greater effort."

"A woman doctor has peculiar opportunities for relieving the sufferings of her own sex."

"I am now determined to gain my end, cost what it may."

"The highest virtue in the world is the conquest of self through effort."

"Make yourself useful, and you will be wanted."

"I felt the deepest longing to do something of real service to the world."

"Medical education must prepare not just the mind, but the character of the physician."

"The very first requirement in a hospital is that it should do the sick no harm."

"A man might as well try to stand on his head as to try to prevent woman from rising."

"The true science of medicine aims at the prevention of disease, not merely at its cure."

"I desire the company of a man who could sympathize with me, who could enter into my pursuits."

"The responsibility of a physician is overwhelming."

"One life is worth as much as another - there is no rank or precedence in suffering."

"I have not the slightest doubt that I have acted rightly in marrying, though I have done so with some hesitation."

"The cultivation of medical science among women is essential to the fulfillment of woman's mission."

"Avoid the mistakes of those who came before you, but embrace their wisdom."

"A strong body makes for a strong mind."

"The practice of medicine is a noble calling for any person of ability and conviction."

"In the study of disease, we discover the conditions of health."

"I have gained the most from observing life as it truly is, not as we wish it to be."

"The philanthropic heart is the greatest asset in medical practice."

"I remain convinced that the rights of women will never be secured by asking or begging."