Digital Media Center
Bryant-Denny Stadium, Gate 61
920 Paul Bryant Drive
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0370
(800) 654-4262

© 2024 Alabama Public Radio
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Monument honors 'Mothers of Gynecology'

<em>Illustration of Dr. J. Marion Sims with Anarcha by Robert Thom. Courtesy of Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Pearson Museum. </em>
Pearson Museum, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
/
Pearson Museum, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
Illustration of Dr. J. Marion Sims with Anarcha by Robert Thom. Courtesy of Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Pearson Museum.

A new monument is being showcased in Montgomery. It pays tribute to three important Black women from Alabama’s history.

The monument honors three enslaved Black women who were subjected to experimental surgery by a 19th century physician.

Al.com reports that the statues of Anarcha, Lucy and Betsey were unveiled over the weekend.

They were three of a group of Black women Dr. J. Marion Sims operated on in Montgomery. Sims is regarded as a pioneer in the field of gynecology. However, he also conducted experimental surgery without anesthesia on enslaved African-American women.

The monument recognizes the three women’s role in advancing women’s health. It is located at the More Up campus on Mildred Street in Montgomery.

Monica Nakashima is a news intern for Alabama Public Radio.
News from Alabama Public Radio is a public service in association with the University of Alabama. We depend on your help to keep our programming on the air and online. Please consider supporting the news you rely on with a donation today. Every contribution, no matter the size, propels our vital coverage. Thank you.