Bold Women of Medicine: 21 Stories of Astounding Discoveries, Daring Surgeries, and Healing Breakthroughs (20)

by Susan M. Latta

CBC - NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Students K-12 2017

Meet 21 determined women who have dedicated their lives to healing others. In the 19th century, Florence Nightingale and Clara Barton—the “Lady with the Lamp” and the “Angel of the Battlefield”—earned their nicknames by daring to enter battlefields to aid wounded soldiers, forever changing the standards of medicine. Modern-day medical heroines such as Bonnie Simpson Mason, who harnessed the challenges of her chronic illness and founded an organization to introduce women and minorities to orthopedic surgery, and Kathy Magliato, who jumped the hurdles to become a talented surgeon in the male-dominated arena of heart transplants, will inspire any young reader interested in the art, science, and lifechanging applications of medicine. Lovers of adventure will follow Mary Carson Breckinridge, the “nurse on horseback” who delivered babies in the Appalachian Mountains and believed that everyone, including our poorest and most vulnerable citizens, deserve good health care, and Jerri Nielsen, the doctor stationed in Antarctica who, cut off from help, had to bravely treat her own breast cancer. These and 15 other daring women inspire with their courage, persistence, and belief in the power of both science and compassion.

Packed with photos and informative sidebars and including source notes and a bibliography, Bold Women of Medicine is an invaluable addition to any student’s or aspiring doctor or nurse’s bookshelf.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Feminism, Medicine, Childrens, Science, Health

240 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2017

Reviews

[Diana · Rating 2 out of 5]

couldn’t finish this it was so bad. Written for middle schoolers, overly simplified, it felt like the author was talking down to the reader the whole time.

[Christie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Learned a lot about women who have left their mark on the medical field. There were many featured women I knew about before, but there were also many who were new to me. I definitely recommend it to people interested in medical history. My only complaint is about the plethora of superfluous exclamation points. There was at least one every paragraph and many of them weren't needed.

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A few too many exclamation points, but interesting for those who enjoy reading about medicine or women who have made history.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great topic, writing didn't do anything for me.

[Kristin Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bold Women of Medicine is maybe more relevant today than ever. The stories show us women showing up to fight to practice medicine. In 2022, women again are fighting for their rights. Readers can learn a lot from the past struggles of women and how to be bold. The stories include African American women physicians but also the challenges of telling their stories when much was not recorded about these women's contributions.
In the Mary Edwards Walker chapter, Latta tells us how this bold woman accidentally crossed enemy lines and ended up a POW during the Civil War and in a Confederate prison. Vivid details about what she was forced to eat to survive made me cringe.
Throughout the book, the author tackled a tough task, which was in telling so many stories which required complex research and presenting us with the details in an interesting and engaging way.
Latta's writing makes these stories enjoyable, such as the way she used alliterative language. For example, in the Clara Barton story (p. 29), Latta writes: "She mixed up countless kettles of her own concoction." Readers will also enjoy quotes sprinkled throughout the book and hearing the voices of these bold women from the past.
One of my favorite quotes in the book was in the Elizabeth Kenny story: "It's better to be a lion for a day than a sheep all your life." (p.86). Kenny is well known today for Courage Kenny Centers.
The stories take us globe-trotting from America to Antarctica to Australia to Ethiopia.
At the end of each story, a Learn More section includes further reading on each of the women.
These stories of bold women have this in common: They all show us how these women had to fight and be brave to overcome the challenges of their times, which included decisions about how to spend their lives, being able to practice medicine, and pursue helping others.

[Shelley Alongi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy reading books where the stories are told that aren’t covered match in general history. I suppose you would need to go to a medical school to find out some of these things so since I’m not going to live this is the second best way to get the same for me. I have a book on Clara Barton and I will read it but it was nice to get an overview of her and also I got an overview of Florence Nightingale someone I have heard about my entire adult life but haven’t researched. Is easy to read and follow and understand. Anyone who has read any amount will know that sometimes right is so convoluted but it’s hard to understand. This book is a good place to start for research purposes. Also, each chapter has a list of books on the person discussed in the chapter so if you want to research more that option is available. Nice organization.

[Aimée Bissonette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book features engaging profiles of outstanding women of medicine, perfect for young adult readers. Each chapter is detailed and incredibly researched. Readers are introduced to a number of women whose work was critical to the development of medicine – some well-known, some less so – all of whom had to fight hard for her place in her chosen profession. Especially recommended for STEM teachers!

[Joan Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book of biographies of women pioneers in the field of medicine and how they furthered the path for those came and will come after them. A preteen or teen interested in going into the health service should read this book for a good overview of how women in the past fought for their positions and how women of today are making a difference in the health professions. I received this book from Goodreads for free.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is a marvelous book. Pithy and concise, yet anecdotal and inspiring. It is actually a perfect subway read -- I can get a chapter or two finished during my commute. The stories of these strong, bright women who were ahead of their time are outstanding. I look forward to sharing this book with all the women in my family for the holidays.

[Kristi · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a female doctor I thought I would love this book. Being the first to do something does not make you or your story interesting:(. This may be great for 3rd grade biographies, but I would not advise adults read this.

[Donna Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this acknowledging, inspiring and informative book to anyone in the medical field.

[Rhiannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very interesting read. The book starts with Florence Nightingale and continues into current figures in medicine. I learned a great deal about women I had never heard of before.

[Miranda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Loved the first half of the book about Florence Nightingale and Elizabeth Blackwell. But then I got less interested. Loved to learn about these ladies though!!

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and these inspiring stories. Go women! I like this book enough to own it potentially but maybe wouldn't necessarily come back to read it again, ya know?

[Sarah Edgerton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is AWESOME. Such a good read, I couldn't put it down! For anyone interested in medicine, history, or just good stories, this has a little something for everyone. Add it to your list, everyone! You will not be sorry!

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.