Susan La Flesche Picotte was the first American Indian woman to earn a medical degree in the U.S.
Born on the Omaha Reservation in Nebraska, she saw a Native woman die in childhood because a white doctor refused her care, motivating her to become a physician.
Supported by her family and the ethnologist Alice Fletcher, Susan got funding for her studies from the U.S. Office of Indian Affairs and other associations.
She studied at Hampton Institute and later the Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania, graduating top of her class in just two years.
Susan treated a diverse range of patients and even opened a hospital in Walthill, Nebraska.
She was also an activist, pushing for alcohol prohibition on the reservation. The hospital is now a museum honoring her legacy.
I have listed the best quotes by Susan La Flesche.
Best Susan La Flesche Picotte Quotes
I am a dreamer who dreams, sees visions, and listens always to the still, small voice. I am a trail-blazer. ~ Susan La Flesche Picotte.
It was only an Indian and it did not matter. The doctor preferred hunting for prairie chickens rather than visiting poor, suffering humanity. ~ Susan La Flesche Picotte.
I know that I shall be unpopular for a while with my people, because they will misconstrue my efforts, but this is nothing, just so I can help them for their own good. ~ Susan La Flesche Picotte.
I’m not accomplishing miracles, but I’m beginning to see some of the results of better hygiene and health habits. And we’re losing fewer babies and fewer cases to infection. ~ Susan La Flesche Picotte.
My office hours are any and all hours of the day and night. ~ Susan La Flesche Picotte.
From the outset the work of an Indian girl is plain before her.…We who are educated have to be pioneers of Indian civilization. We have to prepare our people to live in the white man’s way, to use the white man’s books, and to use his laws if you will only give them to us…the shores of success can only be reached by crossing the bridge of faith. ~ Susan La Flesche Picotte.
Top Susan La Flesche Picotte Quotes
Intemperance increased…men, women, and children drank; men and women died from alcoholism, and little children were seen reeling on the streets of the town; drunken brawls in which men were killed occurred, and no person’s life was considered safe. ~ Susan La Flesche Picotte.
We who are educated have to be pioneers of Indian civilization. The white people have reached a high standard of civilization, but how many years has it taken them? We are only beginning; so do not try to put us down, but help us to climb higher. Give us a chance. ~ Susan La Flesche Picotte.
This condition of being treated as children we want to have nothing to do with…the majority of the Omahas are as competent as the same number of white people. ~ Susan La Flesche Picotte.
So these were the 9 top quotes about Susan La Flesche Picotte.
If you like these quotes and sayings, then you can also read my other posts on Maria Tallchief quotes and Edmonia Lewis quotes.
