Columbia Celebrates Dr. Matilda Evans: Medical Pioneer

News Summary

Columbia, South Carolina, is abuzz with the release of a new biography detailing the life of Dr. Matilda Evans, the state’s first African American female physician. Her groundbreaking work in healthcare transformed access for African Americans during a time of segregation. The biography highlights her educational journey, community contributions, and ongoing legacy through a dedicated museum and street naming in her honor.

Columbia Honors Dr. Matilda Evans: A Trailblazer in Medicine

Columbia, South Carolina, is buzzing with excitement as a new biography sheds light on the incredible life and legacy of Dr. Matilda Evans, the first African American female physician in the state. This stunning new work, titled “South Carolina’s Matilda Evans: A Medical Pioneer”, dives deep into the life of a woman who not only broke barriers but also transformed the healthcare landscape for African Americans during a time of racial segregation.

Unraveling a Legacy

Authored by a talented trio—Dr. Walter B. Curry, Beverly Aiken-Muhammad, and Anusha Ghosh, with a foreword penned by Dr. Bobby Donaldson—the biography is published by The History Press-Arcadia Publishing. It offers detailed narratives that span Evans’ family background, her strenuous educational journey, her flourishing medical practice, and her remarkable community contributions. The book paints a vivid picture of a woman who epitomized the spirit of perseverance and dedication.

From Farm Life to Medical School

Born in 1872 on a humble family farm in eastern Aiken County, Dr. Evans emerged into a world transformed by the recent abolition of slavery. She would go on to make her mark as a pioneer in medicine. Graduating from the Women Medical College of Pennsylvania in 1897 as the only African American in her class, she proudly earned her medical license in May 1898, becoming the very first African American woman in South Carolina to do so.

A Visionary in Healthcare

Dr. Evans was fiercely passionate about healthcare access, particularly for children within the African American community. In 1901, she founded the Taylor Lane Hospital in Columbia, providing essential medical services while also serving as a training ground for aspiring African American nurses and physicians. Ingeniously, she financed the hospital with a mix of donations, fees from white patients, and profits from her poultry and dairy farms. By 1910, this institution had provided treatment for more than 4,000 African Americans.

More than Just a Physician

The biography doesn’t shy away from highlighting Evans’ numerous contributions beyond medicine. She was involved in various civic efforts, operated a restaurant, and even published the weekly Negro Health Journal. Evans actively promoted health education, conducted health surveys among school-age children, and tirelessly advocated for vaccinations, all while navigating a society marked by division.

Legacy Continues

Exciting developments are in the works to honor Dr. Evans further, with plans for a museum dedicated to her life and legacy. The Ernest A. Finney Jr. Cultural Arts Center has recently acquired her family home, creating a legacy space that will serve as a beacon of inspiration for future generations. Adding to this honor, Matilda Evans Street is soon to be named in her honor in Columbia, solidifying her status as one of only two women to have streets named after them in the city.

Service to the Nation and Community

During her illustrious career, Evans also served in the Medical Service Corps during World War I. After the war, she founded the Good Health Association of South Carolina, further enhancing her commitment to community health. Notably, in 1922, she became the only Black woman to serve as president of a state medical association in the entire U.S.

Remembering an Inspiration

Dr. Matilda Evans passed away on November 17, 1935, at the age of 63, but her impact continues to resonate deeply. Her contributions lay not only in the foundation of African American healthcare but also in the ongoing efforts to honor Black history and civic engagement throughout South Carolina. Today, her life story serves as a powerful reminder of what it means to break barriers and be an advocate for those in need.

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Additional Resources

• Post and Courier: New Book Celebrates African American Physician
• Wikipedia: Matilda Evans
• Amsterdam News: Dr. Matilda Evans, South Carolina’s First Licensed Black Woman Physician
• Google Search: Dr. Matilda Evans
• Final Call: The Legacy of Dr. Matilda Evans
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Matilda Evans