A Woman Ahead of Her Time
Dr Mabel Ramsay was a founder member of Plymouth Soroptimists in 1930 and made her place in history by the following actions:
- She was the first woman in the West of England to be appointed Surgeon Gynaecologist at Plymouth City Hospital;
- The first woman President of the Plymouth Medical Society; 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 member of the Plymouth Soroptimist Club.
She spent two years training as a gymnast before taking up her medical studies, so that she would understand more in order to specialise in Orthopaedic medicine. In the end she did not specialise in Orthopaedics.
She was an indefatigable fighter for all issues concerning the welfare of women and worked tirelessly for improved child welfare, better hygiene education, women magistrates and women Police.
She also held particularly strong views about women’s right to have the vote and she formed the Plymouth branch of the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Society.
She was decorated for her role in the First World War. Her decorations included the Mons Star with Bar which was awarded because she continued to care for the wounded whilst under enemy shellfire during the Allied retreat from Belgium.
Among the guests will be members of Dr Ramsay’s family, Dr. Todd Gray of Exeter University, Dr. Mahoney of the Plymouth Medical Society and members of Soroptimist International.
On Friday 14th November 2014 at North Hill, Plymouth a Blue Plaque was unveiled 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, and will figure among the many achievements of this pioneering woman. who was way ahead of her time.
Click here for pictures from Plymouth & City Museum
On Friday 14th November 2014 at North Hill, a Blue Plaque was unveiled 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, and will figure among the many achievements of this pioneering woman. who was way ahead of her time.
Click here for item from Plymouth Herald
