Who Says Women Can't Be Doctors?

This iconographic-animated adaptation of writer Tanya Lee Stone and illustrator Marjorie's Priceman's 2013 picture book centers on the life of Elizabeth Blackwell (1821-1910), the first woman in the U.S. to earn a medical degree. Featuring buoyant narration by Jorjeana Marie and a solid score by Jon Carroll, the story sketches the U.K.-born Blackwell's childhood, with quips about her being tough, manhandling her little brother, and standing up to challenges—even as she was squeamish about blood and had no patience for sickness. But influenced by ill friend Mary Donaldson (who herself wanted to be a lady doctor), Blackwell applied to many medical schools—and was denied due to flawed Victorian-era thinking: women were thought to be too weak, not smart enough to complete this kind of education, and more suited to professions such as teacher or seamstress. But given a chance at upstate New York's Geneva Medical College, Blackwell proved herself to be more than competent and she graduated with honors in 1849. Featuring a read-along option, this profile of a proud and determined woman who paved the way for generations to come is recommended. Aud: E, P. (J. Williams-Wood)