Healers Quote by Barbara Ehrenreich Deirdre English
““Women have always been healers. They were the unlicensed doctors and anatomists. They were abortionists, nurses and counselors. They were the pharmacists, cultivating healing herbs, and exchanging the secrets of their uses. They were midwives, traveling from home to home and village to village. For centuries women were doctors without degrees, barred from books and lectures, learning from each other, and passing on experience from neighbor to neighbor and mother to daughter. They were called “wise women” by the people, witches or charlatans by the authorities. Medicine is part of our heritage as women, our history, our birthright.””
About This Quote
Women have historically served as healers, doctors, and knowledge keepers despite exclusion from formal education, forming a legacy of herbal and practical medicine.
In simple terms: Women have long been healers and informal doctors despite being barred from formal training.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and value women's historic medical contributions.
Themes
history
gender
medicine
heritage
empowerment
Mood
respectful
inspirational
Type
historical
educational
When to use this quote
- healthcare
- gender studies
- cultural history
Key Concepts
informal education
community health
knowledge transmission
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we integrate traditional practices today?
- What barriers still exist for women in medicine?
A Different Perspective
Historical narratives often overlook these contributions.
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