Rebecca Lee Crumpler was the first African American woman to become a physician in the United States. She was born in Delaware in 1831 and faced significant challenges in pursuing her medical education due to the racial and gender discrimination prevalent at the time.

Despite these obstacles, Crumpler was determined to become a doctor and attended the New England Female Medical College in Boston, where she graduated in 1864. She later moved to Richmond, Virginia, to provide medical care to freed slaves during the Civil War.

Crumpler is best known for her book "A Book of Medical Discourses," which she published in 1883. This groundbreaking work made her the first African American woman to write a medical book. In her career, Crumpler focused on providing care to women and children, and she was a pioneer in promoting public health initiatives.

Rebecca Lee Crumpler's achievements paved the way for future generations of Black women in medicine and remain an important part of Black history.