Emily Blackwell was a pioneering American physician and the first woman to earn a medical degree in the United States. Born in 1826, she graduated from the New York Medical College for Women in 1857. Blackwell dedicated her life to improving medical education for women and advocating for their rights in the medical field. In addition to her medical practice, Blackwell co-founded the New York Infirmary for Women and Children in 1857, which provided healthcare services and training for women. She also published several works on medical education and women's health, contributing significantly to the advancement of women in medicine.