Dr. Britton was the first black woman in Kentucky to practice medicine... but there is so much more to her story! Born in Lexington in 1855, she grew up a free black citizen and went to private schools in Lexington, then Berea college. She studied medicine in Battle Creek, Michigan under Dr. Kellogg.

Dr. Britton helped open the Colored Orphans home in Lexington. She caused a stir at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. She protested the Separate Coach bill in the 1890s- her speech later published in the Lexington Herald-Leader.

She was a teacher, writer, doctor and activist.

*This episode briefly mentions suicide. Listener discretion is advised.

Let me know what you think of the episode by leaving a comment on Spotify or sending an email to [email protected].

My mailing address is:

Jessie Bartholomew

9115 Leesgate Rd, Suite A

Louisville, KY 40222

I research, write, record and edit every episode. If you'd like to leave me a tip you can Venmo me, @kyhistoryhaunts

Links:

https://bereaky.gov/for-visitors/community-profile/history/

https://networks.h-net.org/node/2289/blog/ky-woman-suffrage/2574422/1887-speech-mary-e-britton-danville-woman-suffrage

https://www.jstor.org/stable/23384055?read-now=1&seq=11#page_scan_tab_contents