Rebecca Lee Crumpler, Lee Davis was born in 1831 in Delaware to Absolum Davis and Matilda Webber. However, an aunt from Pennsylvania, raised her. This said aunt is believed to have had much impact on Crumpler's career choice, as she was very caring and helpful to others in their community. In her work, Book of Medical Discourses, Crumpler writes, “having been reared by a kind aunt in Pennsylvania, whose usefulness with the sick was continually sought, I early conceived a liking for, and sought every opportunity to relieve the sufferings of others,” (from 1852 to 1860). Without her humbling and kindhearted aunt that guided her, Rebecca could have not been the inspiring figure she is today.
In 1852, Crumpler had moved to Charlestown, Massachusetts, where she worked eight years as a nurse. In the year of 1860, Crumpler was admitted into the New England Female Medical College.
In 1852, Crumpler had moved to Charlestown, Massachusetts, where she worked eight years as a nurse. In the year of 1860, Crumpler was admitted into the New England Female Medical College.
Rebecca was a very bright girl, even attending the prestigious New England Female Medical College in Boston where she was regarded as “a special student”.
In 1864, Rebecca became the New England Female Medical College’s only African American woman to graduate before the doors closed in 1873.
In 1864, Rebecca became the New England Female Medical College’s only African American woman to graduate before the doors closed in 1873.
When Crumpler graduated in 1864, she also became the first African-American woman to obtain a M.D. degree. This is a great accomplishment because of the racial and gender prejudice in the 19th century. However, Rebecca Crumpler Lee did not stop here.