Marie
Zakrzewska
was born in Berlin, Germany, on 6th September, 1829. She was admitted
to the school of midwives in Berlin and graduated in 1851. The following
year she was appointed as assistant to the Director of the Royal Hospital
Charité, but after male members of staff complained about this
decision, Zakrzewska decided to resign.
In 1853 Zakrzewska emigrated to the United States and soon after arriving
in New York met Elizabeth Blackwell
who helped her master the English language. With Blackwell's help
Zakrzewska obtained a place at the Cleveland Medical College in 1856.
In May, 1857, Zakrzewska joined with Elizabeth
Blackwell and Emily Blackwell
to established the New York Infirmary for Women and Children. Zakrzewska
served as resident physician and general manager for the next two
years. The women gave public lectures on hygiene, created a health
centre, appointed sanitary visitors and campaigned for better preventive
medicine.
Zakrzewska then worked as professor of obstetrics at the New England
Female Medical College in Boston (1859-62).
Zakrzewska also became involved in the struggle against slavery
and campaigned for woman suffrage.
In 1862 Zakrzewska established the New England Hospital for Women
and Children. She served as a physician in the hospital (1862-1899)
and also maintained a successful private practice in Boston.
Marie Zakrzewska died in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, on 12th May,
1902.
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