Twice as Hard

The Stories of Black Women Who Fought to Become Physicians, from the Civil War to the 21st Century

By: Jasmine Brown

Narrated by: Wanda Rush

Black women physicians’ stories have gone untold for far too long, leaving gaping holes in American medical history, in women’s history, and in black history. It’s time to set the record straight

No real account of black women physicians in the US exists, and what little mention is made of these women in existing histories is often insubstantial or altogether incorrect. In this work of extensive research, Jasmine Brown offers a rich new perspective, penning the long-erased stories of nine pioneering black women physicians beginning in 1860, when a black woman first entered medical school. Brown champions these black women physicians, including the stories of:

· Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler, who graduated from medical school only fourteen months after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed and provided medical care for the newly freed slaves who had been neglected and exploited by the medical system.

· Dr. Edith Irby Jones, the first African American to attend a previously white-only medical school in the Jim Crow South, where she was not allowed to eat lunch with her classmates or use the women’s bathroom. Still, Dr. Irby Jones persisted and graduated from medical school, going on to directly inspire other black women to pursue medicine such as . . .

· Dr. Joycelyn Elders, who, after meeting Dr. Irby Jones, changed her career ambitions from becoming a Dillard’s salesclerk to becoming a doctor. In 1993, President Bill Clinton appointed Dr. Elders as the US surgeon general, making her the first African American and second woman to hold this position.

Brown tells the stories of these doctors from the perspective of a black woman in medicine. Her journey as a medical student already has parallels to those of black women who entered medicine generations before her. What she uncovers about these women’s struggles, their need to work twice as hard and be twice as good, and their ultimate success serves as instruction and inspiration for new generations considering a career in medicine or science.

Critic reviews

“Well-researched reclamation of neglected yet invaluable history . . . Still, Brown, as remarkable as the pioneers she profiles, ends on a high note, vowing to become a ‘changemaker.’”
—Booklist, Starred Review

“Brown debuts with an eye-opening history of nine African American women in medicine . . . This immersive tribute to a group of pioneering women will inspire readers of all backgrounds.”
—Publishers Weekly

“Brown has given us an important and still unfinished story.”
—The Lancet

“She not only weaves in the historical context for each woman’s story, but compares it to the experiences of black women medical students today. The end result is a powerful, and often enraging, account of social barriers and women who surmounted them—and a reminder that barriers still remain.”
—Pamela Toler, History in the Margins

“At once a celebration of Black women’s medical achievements throughout history and an indictment of misogynoir in medical education, Twice as Hard is an essential, enraging read that deftly weaves the author’s own experience as a Black woman in medicine among the rich historical profiles.”
—Olivia Campbell, author of Women in White Coats: How the First Women Doctors Changed the World of Medicine

“Powerful, timely, and important . . . Twice as Hard is an exceptional book that covers the expansive history of African American women physicians from the 1860s to present-day. This is essential reading for anyone who wants to know more about the history of medicine in America.”
—Leana Wen, MD, MSc, author of Lifelines: A Doctor’s Journey in the Fight for Public Health

“A fascinating journey into the depths of American history told through undervalued voices. Brown brings to life the stories of nine amazing women who fought racial and gender discrimination at every turn on their paths to becoming pioneering physicians.”
—Damon Tweedy, MD, author of Black Man in a White Coat: A Doctor’s Reflections on Race and Medicine

“Revelatory! Jasmine Brown brings us the overlooked history of a powerful force in medicine—Black women physicians. A medical student herself, Brown assembles an inspiring panel of teachers, nine pioneers who reach across the generations as mentors and role models. Their stories are striking for their timeliness as well as their urgency.”
—Danielle Ofri, MD, PhD, author of When We Do Harm: A Doctor Confronts Medical Error

Excellent history sharing

This was a wonderful book of success stories of Black women. We need to be talking more about these trail blazers. Their names should be familiar to all of us, and we should honor them!

An immersive experience

This book is fantastic. It inspires by vividly portraying the stories of African American female physicians in history, highlighting the impossible barriers they overcame during their academic and professional journeys.

Despite facing systemic racism, sexism, and numerous other obstacles, these physicians' unwavering commitment to reducing healthcare disparities allowed them to leave their mark on history.

Wonderful Stories and Inspirational

Amazing book. I was able to visualize the different stories as I was listening. This is a book I can listen to over and over again to get some good encouragement to keep going forward and to make a difference :)

So needed.

As a black woman and medical student, I felt so seen. Navigating/overcoming imposter syndrome, the importance of representation, the power of mirrors, finding your community, serving your community, faith, and the power of resilience despite the obstacles stacked up against you- Jasmine beautifully captures these elements in her thorough account of different black women physicians who made HUGE impacts on the medical field and paved the way for future black women physicians like me. This book is one of my #1 favorites. Reading their stories allowed me to finally have the "mirrors" I needed to be encouraged and strive for greatness. I cannot express how timely this book is. The black excellence overwhelmed me, but I'm here for it. I highly recommend it for book clubs and required summer reading in medical schools. This book surely should be ranked among the great books covering the history of medicine! Jasmine Brown, you did that!

Promise and Purpose

I enjoyed reading this book. The journey of each is unique. The challenge is against all odds but the necessity to achieve is for the promise to the next generation. I hope we see more representation in medicine and medical education…future generations count on it to survive.