A woman ahead of her time
In 2014 a Blue Plaque was unveiled at North Hill, Plymouth to recognise one of Plymouth’s unsung heroes – Dr Mabel Ramsay, who practised medicine in Plymouth from 1908 until 1945. It was the first Blue Plaque in Plymouth dedicated solely to a woman: another achievement for a pioneering woman who was way ahead of her time.
- Working at at Plymouth City Hospital, she was among the first small group of women in England to be appointed a Consultant Gynaecologist;
- The first woman President of the Plymouth Medical Society, a a founder member of the Medical Women’s Federation;
- The third woman in the country to become a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons;
- A foundation member of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists;
- The founder of Plymouth Soroptimist Club, in 1930.
Mabel Ramsay was DILIGENT: originally intending to be an orthopaedic surgeon, she spent two years training as a gymnast before taking up her medical studies, so that she would better understand the human body.
She was DETERMINED: an indefatigable fighter on all issues concerning the welfare of women, who worked tirelessly for improved child welfare, better hygiene education, women magistrates and women police.
She was a LEADER: having strong views about women’s right to vote, she formed the Plymouth branch of the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Society.
She was FEARLESS: decorated for her role in the First World War. Her decorations included the Mons Star with Bar, awarded because she continued to care for the wounded whilst under enemy shellfire during the Allied retreat from Belgium.
There is a lovely profile of Dr Mabel Ramsay on BBC Sounds (13 minutes).
