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“Miss Dr. Lucy”

Female doctors came from and settled in Maine as early as the 1850s. These forgotten healers were either Maine natives who traveled far and wide to study medicine—and did or did not return to practice—or women from other states who chose to establish their medical practice in Maine. Many were activists for women’s equal rights; many held office in civic and medical organizations. Some gave up careers; they chose marriage and motherhood and walked away from a medical career. Their stories reveal a variety of early medical schools available to women, graduating from 20! (There were five Dr. Lucy’s.)