1880

Some women were determined to achieve success in the career of their choice. Those who succeeded still faced prejudice and discriminatory pay practices.

No Work for Women Outside the Home

Throughout the 1800s, prevailing views established that women were unsuited for professional work. Married women were to raise children and manage the home. Unmarried women could work as teachers, clerks, housekeepers, hairdressers, and seamstresses.

Versus

Professional Careers for Women

Some women were well aware that their skills and abilities were equal to those of men — if only they could access the same education and opportunities. But choosing a profession outside the norm, did not guarantee acceptance.

Who had the power?

In 1883 Dr. Marie Louise Crothers returned to Bloomington after graduating from the Women’s Medical College of Pennsylvania with her degree in medicine.

She had previously trained and assisted her husband Dr. Eli Crothers in his medical practice. The Crothers planned to continue to work together as partners.

But some of Eli’s patients (both men and women) did not approve of a woman doing what they considered to be men’s work, and objected to Louise’s practice. Some found a new doctor.

Black and white portrait of a pleasant looking older white woman in collared dress, sitting in an ornate chair. — Dr. Marie Louise Crothers

In 1887 Louise and Eli built a new home at 414 E. Jefferson Street. Eli kept the office he and Louise had previously shared and Louise opened a new office in their home.

There she treated only women and children, and specialized in obstetrics.

It did not take long for Louise's work to become well respected. In 1889 she was named physician in charge at the McLean County Women's Industrial Home for indigent women and children -- a position she held until she retired in 1905.

Dark wooden medicine box with doors that open and hold multicolored glass medicine bottles on their shelves. — Louise likely had a portable medicine box similar to this one, used by Bloomington’s Dr. David Oliver Moore during the same time period.

Donated by: Jim and Lucy Kohler
96.5.7

Golden ornate pen/pencil photographed on a dark background — Dr. Crothers used this combination pen/pencil, before passing it on to her daughter Rachel.

Donated by: Rachel Crothers
867.1694

Louise Crothers rejected the norms as they pertained to women’s roles in the late nineteenth century, and had a profound influence on those around her, including her daughter Rachel.

Rachel Crothers became a highly successful playwright whose work explored women’s gender roles at the turn of the century.

Reflection Questions

What words here best describe why medical patients would object to a woman doctor during this time period?

Why was Dr. Louise Crothers able to succeed in her profession and change perceptions about women doctors?

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