06/11/2024
Join us for a thought-provoking and educational event that delves into the harrowing yet significant contributions of enslaved African women to the advancement of medicine in America.
This event focuses on the lives of Lucy, Betsey, and Anarcha, three enslaved women who were subjected to experimental surgeries by Dr. J. Marion Sims, often referred to as the “father of modern gynecology.”
Event Highlights:
• Historical Context: Understand the historical backdrop of the 19th century, a time when enslaved African women were seen not as individuals but as property, used for medical experimentation without consent.
• The Stories of Lucy, Betsey, and Anarcha: Learn about the specific experiences of these three women, who endured numerous surgeries under brutal and inhumane conditions. Their resilience and the sacrifices they were forced to make played a pivotal role in advancing gynecological practices.
• Impact on Modern Medicine: Explore how the painful legacy of these women has shaped contemporary medical practices and ethics. We will discuss the advancements made in gynecology as a result of these experiments and the ongoing implications for medical ethics and racial disparities in healthcare.
• Panel Discussion: Featuring physicians and medical researchers, our panel will engage in a deep discussion about the moral implications and the need for recognition and reparations.
• Q&A Session: Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and engage in dialogue about the historical and contemporary issues surrounding medical experimentation on marginalized communities.
This event aims to honor the memories of Lucy, Betsey, and Anarcha, acknowledging their involuntary yet critical contributions to medical science. It also serves as a platform to reflect on and address the enduring impacts of these practices on modern medicine and ethics.
We invite you to join us in commemorating the lives of these women and to participate in an important conversation about the intersections of race, ethics, and medical history.
The physicians at Woman to Woman are committed to providing superior obstetrical and gynecological s