"OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE" : CAROLINE STILL ANDERSON

Caroline was born on November 1, 1848, in the “FREE STATE” territory of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her father, “William Still,” was a wealthy Negro businessman, philanthropist, and abolitionist. He did his best to instill in her consciousness a sense of responsibility and accountability to her race. As a child, Caroline attended Mrs. Gordon's Private School, The Friends' Raspberry Alley School, and the Institute for Colored Youth. In 1864, Caroline attended Oberlin College, earning her degree in 1868. After pausing for marriage and having children, she enrolled at Howard University College of Medicine, in 1875. Caroline then transferred from Howard to the Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania in 1876, where she ended up receiving her Doctor of Medicine Degree in 1878. The same year, Caroline began her medical career with an internship at Boston’s New England Hospital for Women and Children. Once Caroline had completed her internship, she returned to Philadelphia where she opened a dispensary in her husband’s church. Additionally, Caroline opened a private medical practice in Philadelphia. Also, the couple founded a vocational and Liberal Arts school called the Berean Manual Training and Industrial School. Caroline was the assistant principal in addition to her teaching roles. She would often also practice medicine at many of the Quaker institutions in Philadelphia! Unfortunately, her career came to an end, after she suffered a paralytic stroke. Although, her stroke kept her from working as a doctor, she remained active in the medical profession by engaging in research and presenting papers at medical conventions. Furthermore, she continued to participate in several social organizations as well. Caroline served as president of the Berean Woman’s Christian Temperance Union, and she helped organize Black YMCAs in Philadelphia. A few of her notable accomplishments included enrolling in college at the age of 15, being the youngest graduate in her college graduating class,at the age of 19, and being one of the first Black women to hold a Doctor of Medicine Degree from an American Medical College in the United States! Sadly, on June 2, 1919, Caroline Still Anderson passed away due to complications from her previous strokes.