In 1844, Blackwell convinced herself that she was going to become a doctor. With her determination, stubbornness and perseverance, it was the perfect goal for her. she openly discussed this idea with her friends. Some of them encourage her but warn her that the path she has chosen to take is fraught with pitfalls and trials. They told her that if she chose to study medicine, her best choice was to move to France, disguise herself as a man, and only then would she be accepted into medical school; while others strongly opposed his idea and told him clearly that it would be impossible. They tried to gently dissuade her from such bold dreams. Elizabeth will not be dissuaded, however; Even when she was little, she had a reputation for being stubborn and determined. She began her studies by reading medical books. Later, in 1845, Elizabeth moved to Asheville, North Carolina, where she taught school, and with the help of physician John Dickson, she studied medicine in her spare time. Her next move, in 1846, was to a girls' school in Charleston, South Carolina, where she had more time to devote to her medical studies, this time under Dickson's brother Samuel. It was always a very difficult goal to achieve because of a lot of people who weren't as open-minded as her father and had trained her to be. They deeply discouraged her. Very determined as is her true nature, she has not resigned or abandoned her goals. Some of his friends then told him to try some schools in Philadelphia. Arriving in Philadelphia, Elizabeth boarded with Dr. William Elder and studied anatomy privately with Dr. Jonathan M. Allen as she attempted to get her foot in the door of any medical school in . ..... middle of paper... ...problems and difficulties. They declared that no one would rent a house for such a purpose; female doctors would be viewed with so much suspicion that even the police would not be able to help them. And if a death occurs how would they issue a death certificate, would it be useful as it would surely not be respected by the relevant authorities. And finally, if violence broke out, they would risk their lives as well as their reputations. Her friends tried to dissuade her again, but like in the very beginning, she was not dissuaded. His persistent, stubborn and determined nature was all that was needed to ensure that there was a hospital. Works Cited The First Woman Doctor by Rachel Baker http://www.myhero.com/go/hero.asp?hero=e_blackwell http://www.nlm.nih.gov/changingthefaceofmedicine/physicians/biography_35.html