Last summer I took an amazing trip to the Penn State University Archives, as well as to the Drexel University Legacy Center, to find records of Dr. Helen Octavia Dickens, the first Black woman certified in Gynecology in the United States.
Thanks to the fantastic archivists I worked with, boxes of materials were waiting for me upon arrival:
The University of Pennsylvania as a lovely tribute to Dickens featured in Stemmler Hall, and I was so excited to get to see it in person.
Walking around such a beautiful campus was really fun, especially because I’m a real sucker for inspirational quotations.
I’m still wading my way through all of the priceless primary sources I gathered about Dickens during my trip, but I remain convinced that I could not possibly be more inspired by her story or grateful to the many people who opened doors to allow me access her words.
