History Lesson

In honor of Black History Month, I want to post a few facts about a person who has at some point in, some way or another contributed to society.  My last semester in college I got an opportunity to take an African American history course.  To be honest, I didn't learn anything new as far as events go, but I did learn about some people we don't hear about that contributed to A.A. history.  I loved that class, I really did, but it got a little too in depth on things that weren't necessary.  It definitely wasn't at all that I had expected, more so wanted, it to be.  I will admit that it was worth it.  Although, some may not feel strongly about the legacy of people like Malcolm X or any other "rebellious" figure/activist, or whether we didn't know the names of that random man, woman or child who was discriminated against because of the color of their skin and made a decision to change that ugly side of society, they too played a pivotal role in history.  I'm thankful to those people and their contributions.

Dr. Rebecca Cole. 

She is the second African American woman to obtain a degree as a physician.  She graduated from the Woman's Medical college in Pennsylvania, an all-women's school, which in fact, was run by a woman.  Upon graduating, she worked with Elizabeth Blackwell at New York Infirmary for Women and Children where she gained clinical experience doing the usual things a resident assistant and she excelled at it.  In the late 1800's, she opened up the Women's Directory Center in Pennsylvania for destitute women and children.  Almost 30 years later, she was given a position as superintendent of a home which was run by an association for the relief of destitute colored women and children in the nations capital.  Dr. Rebecca Cole was not only deemed the best person for the job due to her exceptional skills and experience of working with these women and children, but it was stated that "her determination to see the best in every situation and in every individual, have created around her an atmosphere of sunshine that adds to the happiness and well being of every member of the large family." She practiced as a physician for 50 years, but it's unfortunate that there aren't many records of her story, much less photos of her.