Back in 1861, Lucy Hobbs became the first female dentist, paving the way for women who want to follow a career in dentistry. In the 1800’s, women were not allowed in dental school. For some, this might have been a roadblock but not for Hobbs. She began a private program of study with a professor from the Ohio College of Dental Surgery. In 1865, she finally gained all professional recognition when she was allowed to join the Iowa State Dental Society. That November, she entered the Ohio College of Dental Surgery, where in 1866 she earned her doctorate in dentistry, becoming the first woman in the United States to do so. By 1900, almost one thousand women had followed Lucy Taylor into dentistry, an increase many attribute largely to her accomplishments. In 1983, the American Association of Women Dentists honored Taylor by establishing the Lucy Hobbs Taylor Award, which it now presents annually to AAWD members in recognition of professional excellence and achievements in advancing the role of women in dentistry.
Taken from Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia
