Smith, Elizabeth (Shortt)

  • From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: See full biography at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Smith_Shortt
  • Wiki Biography:
    • Elizabeth Smith Shortt (18 January 1859 – 14 January 1949) was one of the first three women to earn a medical degree in Canada. She was one of the women medical students expelled from Queen’s University, Ontario following a hostile backlash from male staff and students at the presence of women in the medical school. Shortt went on to complete her studies at a newly established women’s college and practised medicine in Hamilton, Ontario. She was a long-serving and active member of the National Council of Women of Canada and spearheaded a number of public health and women’s welfare initiatives.
    • Shortt was born on 18 January 1859 in the community of Winona, which is now located in the city of Hamilton, Ontario. Her parents were Sylvester Smith (died in 1885) and Damaris Isabella Smith (McGee) (1831–1913). Damaris was a school teacher, and Sylvester’s family were the founders of the E.D. Smith preserves company. 
    • She also attended Ottawa Normal School in January 1880. While attending she frequently received the weekly Honourable Mentions; she also attended many parliamentary sessions and frequented the House of Commons.
    • After finishing medical school in 1884, Shortt opened her own medical practice in Hamilton, Ontario.  Early in her professional career, Shortt had professional mentorship from Emily Stowe and her cousin J. W. Smith, also consulting on their cases occasionally.  Shortt often felt inexperienced as a physician and lacked the resources to hire a nurse, so she operated on patients alone. In order to protect her reputation as a woman practising medicine, Shortt refused to treat male patients.
    • In 1887 Shortt returned to Kingston and lectured at the Women’s Medical College at Queen’s University on medical jurisprudence and sanitary science. In 1908 she moved to Ottawa and worked in a voluntary capacity for women’s and mother’s organisations, as well as campaigning on public health matters.
    • Shortt was a highly active member of the National Council of Women of Canada, as well as the local and provincial councils. Throughout her time of being a member of these councils she worked, wrote and spoke about issues dealing with housing, inspection of markets, fly control, PXS pasteurization of milk, care of mentally deficient, child welfare, and mother’s pension.
    • In 1911, she became the first Convener of the Public Health and Mental Hygiene Committee of the National Council of Women, which worked to combat mental health disorders. She was also Convener of the Committee on Immigration of the National Council of Women, which was active in organizing a hostel for female immigrants in Ottawa.
  • Second Great Granddaughter of United Empire Loyalist listed in Loyalist Directory: https://uelac.ca/loyalist-directory/detail/?wpda_search_column_id=5401
  • Find a GRAVE: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/184162908/elizabeth-shortt