Those are the names of three female slaves who underwent nonconsensual experimentation at the hands of Dr. James Marion Sims—a physician known as the ‘father of gynecology.’ After opening a clinic in Montgomery, Alabama, Dr. Sims began providing medical care to slaves on plantations in order to gain extra income. In doing so, he noticed that several women had a condition known as vesicovaginal fistula. He described this condition as “an opening between the vagina and also the bladder or the vagina and the rectum, which usually comes after traumatic childbirth.” Dr. Sims subsequently performed various surgeries on these women without anesthesia. He also conducted experimental procedures in front of other medical personnel where the women were forced to be naked and otherwise exposed. Anarcha, Betsey, and Lucy were his most notable patients as he performed at least 30 surgeries on Anarcha alone. Dr. Sims indeed treated white women, but for them, he provided anesthesia. His experiments led to techniques that still treat women to this very day, but at what expense? It is this very experimentation and complete disregard for humanity experienced by persons like Anarcha, Betsey, and Lucy that have influenced many in the black community to mistrust medical personnel. Couple this lack of trust with the limited access to transportation and food deserts that often plague black communities and it is no wonder there is a disproportionate prevalence and incidence of chronic illnesses among African Americans.
Each year, National Medical Fellowships provides two scholarships in honor of these women—The Mothers of Gynecology. The awards are funded by Dr. Yvonne S. Thornton, an Obstetrician and Gynecologist, author of The Ditchdigger’s Daughters, a trailblazer in her own right, and a total B O S S ! I had the privilege of interviewing with her. She gave me so much insight into how to be successful as an African American female in the medical field. She also asked me about research results from a project I did in 2009! Thank God for quick recall haha! The most important and memorable thing she said to me? Not to worry so much about exam scores. She told me that stellar scores are great, but perseverance is even better. She can do a lot more with a hard worker than she can with someone who is smart and lazy. She had no idea how much I needed to hear that. By now, you all know how obsessed I am with fetal surgery and maternal and child health! Because of my medical interests, this scholarship is even more near and dear to my heart. I am so excited about this scholarship opportunity and even more excited that I get to proudly stand on the shoulders of the Mothers of Gynecology. I do not take for granted my ability to take the experimentation that was meant to harm women who look like me and use it for our good!
For more information on this scholarship opportunity, visit:
xoxo,
Anya
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