Unladylike2020: Unsung Women Who Changed America Season 1 Episode 16 Susan La Flesche Picotte: The First American Indian Doctor

Unladylike2020: Unsung Women Who Changed America is a documentary-style show that explores the lives of little-known but influential women who have made a significant impact on American history. In season 1 episode 16, we meet Susan La Flesche Picotte, the first American Indian doctor.

Born in 1865 on the Omaha Reservation in Nebraska, Susan grew up in a time when Native Americans were frequently mistreated and marginalized by the U.S. government and the broader society. Despite facing many obstacles, Susan was an ambitious and determined young woman, and she was determined to become a doctor in order to help her people.

After completing high school and attending college in Wisconsin, Susan was accepted into medical school in Philadelphia, where she was the only Native American student in her class. Her education was far from easy; she faced discrimination and ridicule from her classmates and was often treated as an outsider. But Susan persevered, and in 1889, she became the first Native American woman to earn a medical degree.

Returning to the Omaha Reservation, Susan faced a daunting task. She was the only doctor for a population of over 1,200 people, and many of her patients spoke only Omaha, a language she had to learn quickly. Despite these challenges, Susan immersed herself in her work, traveling long distances to see patients, often on horseback or buggy. She also set up a hospital on the reservation and worked tirelessly to improve the health conditions of her people.

Susan's impact went far beyond her medical work, however. She was also a political activist, advocating for Native American rights and working to improve their standing in society. She spoke out against the mistreatment of Native Americans by the U.S. government and wrote articles about their plight for national publications.

Tragically, Susan's life was cut short in 1915 when she died of bone cancer at the age of 50. But her legacy lives on. She is remembered as a pioneer in the field of medicine, a voice for Native American rights, and a trailblazer for women and people of color. Her story is a powerful reminder of the resilience and courage of those who strive to make a difference, even in the face of overwhelming adversity.