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Susan McKinney Steward
Susan Maria McKinney Steward (March 1847 – March 17, 1918) was an American physician and author. She was the third African-American woman to earn a medical degree, and the first in New York state.
McKinney-Steward's medical career focused on prenatal care and childhood disease. From 1870 to 1895, she ran her own practice in Brooklyn and co-founded the Brooklyn Women's Homeopathic Hospital and Dispensary. She sat on the board and practiced medicine at the Brooklyn Home for Aged Colored People. From 1906, she worked as college physician at the African Methodist Episcopal Church's Wilberforce University in Ohio. In 1911, she attended the Universal Race Congress in London, where she delivered a paper entitled "Colored American Women".
McKinney-Steward was born Susan Maria Smith to Anne and Sylvanus Smith in 1847. She lived at 189 Pearl Street, in Weeksville, now Crown Heights, Brooklyn for ten years until her family moved to a house next door at 213 Pearl Street. They later moved again to 243 Pearl Street. Susan was part of a large family, and had nine other siblings. Her eldest sister, Sarah J. Garnet who was the wife of Henry Highland Garnet, eventually became the first African-American female school principal in the New York City public school system. Her other sisters, Emma Tompkins became a school teacher, Clara Brown was a piano teacher, and Mary was a hair stylist. Her father held jobs as a porter, carpet cleaner, and laborer. However, he also sold hogs which provided him and his family with a respectable living. As a child, Susan was fond of music and learned to play the organ. Because of her musical training she taught at a public school in Washington, D.C., for around 2 years. Eventually, she played the organ and was the choir director at Siloam Presbyterian Church and the Bridge Street African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Although the exact reason McKinney-Steward wanted to pursue medicine is unknown, there are some factors that could explain her motivation. One possibility is that losing two of her brothers during the Civil War could have caused her to seek out a career where she could prevent other people from dying. Another possibility is the cholera epidemic that was occurring in 1866. Increased fatalities due to the disease could have encouraged her to have an active role in people's health. In 1867, she attended the New York Medical College for Women. At that time, it would have usually brought public attention by the press if an African-American women had been admitted into medical school. At the time, the city had an anti-Black democratic press. However, her mentor Dr. Lozier had a strong abolitionist background and was likely able to deter press which avoided a public outcry. Although McKinney's father was a wealthy pig farmer who could have easily afforded her tuition costs, she preferred to pay for her education herself. She used money she had earned teaching at a colored school in Manhattan along with money earned from teaching music in Washington, D.C., and New York City to fund her medical school education. She chose a career in homeopathy, instead of medical study, most likely because it was more accessible to women. Because of her work ethic and academic performance, she was selected as valedictorian and graduated in 1869. However, neither the local newspapers or The New York Times included her valedictory address or included that she was of African descent. And if they did mention McKinney it was hidden in the papers published. After graduation, she took a course at the Long Island College Hospital.
Although obtaining her degree and being selected as valedictorian, McKinney-Steward struggled to find a reliable job. In addition, her degree in homeopathic medicine was not viewed in the same high regard that a medical degree was. In fact, because homeopathic medicine was seen as quackery medicine not many people came to her for treatment. Susan found work treating malnourished children until eventually her reputation grew to where she could treat both white and black patients. She received many positive reviews and recognitions from physicians in her area. Her clientele increased to the point where she became a respected and wealthy physician. The Courier did provide information about her graduating, however, did not mention that she was valedictorian. The Courier focused on her attire and her status within society at the time. Despite all the challenges that McKinney faced she was elected into the New York Homeopathic Medical Society in 1896.
Susan has published medical papers. The first one published in 1883 over a case that involved a woman who was in charge of taking care of her burn suffering mother. The woman treated her mother with carbolic acid, at this time the woman also slept in the same bed with her mother and developed an unknown sickness. After the nurse on the case noticed the woman's condition Dr. McKinney was brought in, where she successfully treated the woman.
Susan's second paper "Marasmus Infantum" was published in 1886. This paper focused on childhood diseases, for example Marasmus. Marasmus was known as a disease that is caused by unsuitable food, vomiting, diarrhea, worms, and inheriting syphilis. Dr. Steward advocated for homeopathic treatment for children and infants suffering from Marasmus because they stood a better chance of recovery. Since Dr. Steward specialized in childhood disease, the way she handled Marasmus cases gained her recognition for her skill and knowledge.
McKinney-Steward's medical career focused on prenatal care and childhood disease where she worked with patients of all races. From 1870 to 1895, she ran her own practice in Brooklyn and co-founded the Brooklyn Women's Homeopathic Hospital and Dispensary in 1881. She sat on the board of and practiced medicine at the Brooklyn Home for Aged Colored People and served on the staff at New York Medical College and Hospital for Women in Manhattan. By 1906, she and her second husband, Theophilus Gould Steward, found positions at the African Methodist Episcopal Church's Wilberforce University in Ohio, where she worked as college physician. In 1911 she attended the Universal Race Congress in London, where she delivered a paper entitled "Colored American Women". Her paper was focused on the achievements of numerous African American women. The Congress brought together many people from all over the world searching for ways to enhance their relationships and continue dialogue between the East and West parts of the world. In 1914, Susan addressed the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs in a speech titled "Women in Medicine". Her objective of the speech was to end the separation of men and women in medical schools. She advocated that women would have the same opportunity for internship positions if women were allowed to attend schools alongside men.
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Susan McKinney Steward
Susan Maria McKinney Steward (March 1847 – March 17, 1918) was an American physician and author. She was the third African-American woman to earn a medical degree, and the first in New York state.
McKinney-Steward's medical career focused on prenatal care and childhood disease. From 1870 to 1895, she ran her own practice in Brooklyn and co-founded the Brooklyn Women's Homeopathic Hospital and Dispensary. She sat on the board and practiced medicine at the Brooklyn Home for Aged Colored People. From 1906, she worked as college physician at the African Methodist Episcopal Church's Wilberforce University in Ohio. In 1911, she attended the Universal Race Congress in London, where she delivered a paper entitled "Colored American Women".
McKinney-Steward was born Susan Maria Smith to Anne and Sylvanus Smith in 1847. She lived at 189 Pearl Street, in Weeksville, now Crown Heights, Brooklyn for ten years until her family moved to a house next door at 213 Pearl Street. They later moved again to 243 Pearl Street. Susan was part of a large family, and had nine other siblings. Her eldest sister, Sarah J. Garnet who was the wife of Henry Highland Garnet, eventually became the first African-American female school principal in the New York City public school system. Her other sisters, Emma Tompkins became a school teacher, Clara Brown was a piano teacher, and Mary was a hair stylist. Her father held jobs as a porter, carpet cleaner, and laborer. However, he also sold hogs which provided him and his family with a respectable living. As a child, Susan was fond of music and learned to play the organ. Because of her musical training she taught at a public school in Washington, D.C., for around 2 years. Eventually, she played the organ and was the choir director at Siloam Presbyterian Church and the Bridge Street African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Although the exact reason McKinney-Steward wanted to pursue medicine is unknown, there are some factors that could explain her motivation. One possibility is that losing two of her brothers during the Civil War could have caused her to seek out a career where she could prevent other people from dying. Another possibility is the cholera epidemic that was occurring in 1866. Increased fatalities due to the disease could have encouraged her to have an active role in people's health. In 1867, she attended the New York Medical College for Women. At that time, it would have usually brought public attention by the press if an African-American women had been admitted into medical school. At the time, the city had an anti-Black democratic press. However, her mentor Dr. Lozier had a strong abolitionist background and was likely able to deter press which avoided a public outcry. Although McKinney's father was a wealthy pig farmer who could have easily afforded her tuition costs, she preferred to pay for her education herself. She used money she had earned teaching at a colored school in Manhattan along with money earned from teaching music in Washington, D.C., and New York City to fund her medical school education. She chose a career in homeopathy, instead of medical study, most likely because it was more accessible to women. Because of her work ethic and academic performance, she was selected as valedictorian and graduated in 1869. However, neither the local newspapers or The New York Times included her valedictory address or included that she was of African descent. And if they did mention McKinney it was hidden in the papers published. After graduation, she took a course at the Long Island College Hospital.
Although obtaining her degree and being selected as valedictorian, McKinney-Steward struggled to find a reliable job. In addition, her degree in homeopathic medicine was not viewed in the same high regard that a medical degree was. In fact, because homeopathic medicine was seen as quackery medicine not many people came to her for treatment. Susan found work treating malnourished children until eventually her reputation grew to where she could treat both white and black patients. She received many positive reviews and recognitions from physicians in her area. Her clientele increased to the point where she became a respected and wealthy physician. The Courier did provide information about her graduating, however, did not mention that she was valedictorian. The Courier focused on her attire and her status within society at the time. Despite all the challenges that McKinney faced she was elected into the New York Homeopathic Medical Society in 1896.
Susan has published medical papers. The first one published in 1883 over a case that involved a woman who was in charge of taking care of her burn suffering mother. The woman treated her mother with carbolic acid, at this time the woman also slept in the same bed with her mother and developed an unknown sickness. After the nurse on the case noticed the woman's condition Dr. McKinney was brought in, where she successfully treated the woman.
Susan's second paper "Marasmus Infantum" was published in 1886. This paper focused on childhood diseases, for example Marasmus. Marasmus was known as a disease that is caused by unsuitable food, vomiting, diarrhea, worms, and inheriting syphilis. Dr. Steward advocated for homeopathic treatment for children and infants suffering from Marasmus because they stood a better chance of recovery. Since Dr. Steward specialized in childhood disease, the way she handled Marasmus cases gained her recognition for her skill and knowledge.
McKinney-Steward's medical career focused on prenatal care and childhood disease where she worked with patients of all races. From 1870 to 1895, she ran her own practice in Brooklyn and co-founded the Brooklyn Women's Homeopathic Hospital and Dispensary in 1881. She sat on the board of and practiced medicine at the Brooklyn Home for Aged Colored People and served on the staff at New York Medical College and Hospital for Women in Manhattan. By 1906, she and her second husband, Theophilus Gould Steward, found positions at the African Methodist Episcopal Church's Wilberforce University in Ohio, where she worked as college physician. In 1911 she attended the Universal Race Congress in London, where she delivered a paper entitled "Colored American Women". Her paper was focused on the achievements of numerous African American women. The Congress brought together many people from all over the world searching for ways to enhance their relationships and continue dialogue between the East and West parts of the world. In 1914, Susan addressed the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs in a speech titled "Women in Medicine". Her objective of the speech was to end the separation of men and women in medical schools. She advocated that women would have the same opportunity for internship positions if women were allowed to attend schools alongside men.
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