Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1890-04-18
FRIDAY MORNING. APRIL Is, 1890.

The granting Of the first license by the state
Board of Madical Examiners to a woman to
practice medicine in this State, is an event of
very considerable Importance. The custom
has long prevailed elsewhere, and it was only
question of time for it to be introduced into
Virginia The objections that have been urged
against the admission of women to the bar d
not apply to the profession of medicine in all
its branches In fact, there are many depart
ments in this profession to which women are
very much better adapted than men as pra G.
titioners, and in which, in consequence, they
can play more useful part. The prediction
may be ventured that in the future, more or
less distant, these special departments Will
fall almost entirely into the hands of female
physicians.
The enlargement of the number of employ
ments suitable to the physical capabilities OF
women in the South is step to be commend
ed and there is growing tendency In this
direction, within perfectly legitimate bounds.
that has already accomplished a large amount
of good. Opportunities are now furnished
Southern women to earn a livelihood either
by the skill of their hands OF by their intellec-
tual capacity, which did not exist even few
Years ago. Aduy dfC UHuo DCCl ga NCu IL Vim
dependence on others, and in addition, have
been placed in position to support those
who have no means of earning a livelihood.
Rictna0nd Times
1t gives us pleasure to republish the
above from our metropolitan contemporary.
1t is true that the entrance of a woman
into medical speciality in Virginia-that
e ,oyt Of Tho fop,o1o sIan
event of very considerable Importance. y
It means broadening in the views of
Virginians about what uses women can he
put to, and it means strength in the tide
of this awakening public opinion that can
not be stayed, and that will be freighted
with great benefit to the sex and to the
world, as well as greater justice. The
VINDICATOR has always favored opening
every reputable occupation to women that
they are fitted for. Not because they are
women-that is the sentimental side Of the
argument-but because they are intelligent
human beings, our fellow occupants of the
earth and entitled to the same full measure
OF justice in earning a living that men
are. In some occupations in life she cannot
be rivaled by man, just as in some others
she cannot rival him. Any reputable work
in this world that a woman can do, she has
the right to do, and should not be obstruct-
ed by custom, prejudice or laws. That is
the judgment Of manliness, true chivalry,
justice and humanity. To attempt to set
it aside because man is stronger and is pos
sessed Of the governing power, is a perver-
sion of civilization which if not founded
on justice becomes a false pretense. The
very essence of vulgar barbarism is the OPP
preston of the weak.
1t gives us pleasure in this connection to
note the conduct of the members of the
State Board Of Medical Examiners body
representing the profession in the State
towards the first woman that has come before
them to enter their profession. 1t was
marked, as we are Informed, by a chivalric
courtesy and consideration well worthy of
the Virginia traditions Of other days, and
will go forth to the world as an evidence
that the old State while keeping abreast
with modern progress has not lost grain
of that salt without which the world loses
much of it's SAVIOR.