Rebecca Lee Crumpler was a pioneering African American physician and author who made history as the first African American woman in the United States to earn a medical degree. She was born in Delaware in 1831 and faced significant challenges in pursuing her education and career due to the racial and gender biases of the time.

In 1864, Rebecca Lee Crumpler graduated from the New England Female Medical College in Boston, Massachusetts, making her the first black woman to become a doctor in the United States. She later practiced medicine in Boston and in Virginia, where she provided care to newly freed slaves who had limited access to medical treatment.

In 1883, Crumpler published a book titled "A Book of Medical Discourses in Two Parts," which documented her experiences as a physician and provided advice on topics such as childcare and women's health. Her work is regarded as an important contribution to medical history and Black history, highlighting the achievements and resilience of African American women in the face of adversity. Crumpler's groundbreaking achievements paved the way for future generations of Black women in medicine and continue to inspire aspiring healthcare professionals today.