Dr. Emily Howard Stowe (May 1, 1831 – April 29, 1903) was a force to be reckoned with—Canada’s first female physician to practice medicine and a pioneering advocate for women’s rights. Born in Norwich Township, Ontario, Emily Stowe defied the rigid societal norms of her time, paving the way for future generations of women in both medicine and activism.
Denied entry to the Toronto School of Medicine in 1865, Emily Stowe refused to accept defeat. She pursued her medical education in the United States, earning her degree from the New York Medical College for Women in 1867.
Upon returning to Canada, she established her medical practice in Toronto, specializing in the treatment of women and children at a time when female doctors were virtually unheard of. Her relentless efforts finally earned her an official medical license in 1880, making her the second licensed female physician in Canada, after Jennie Trout.
But Stowe’s ambitions extended far beyond medicine. She was a fierce advocate for women’s suffrage and education, founding the Toronto Women’s Literary Club in 1876—later renamed the Canadian Women’s Suffrage Association. Through public speeches and activism, she campaigned for women’s right to higher education, ultimately contributing to the establishment of the Ontario Medical College for Women in 1883.
Emily Stowe’s influence wasn’t confined to the medical field. She was the first female principal of a public school in Ontario and served as the founding president of the Dominion Women’s Enfranchisement Association in 1889. Her legacy lived on through her daughter, Augusta Stowe-Gullen, who became the first woman to earn a medical degree in Canada.
Today, Emily Stowe’s name is enshrined in Canadian history, with schools, shelters, and institutions bearing her name in honor of her contributions. Her induction into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame in 2018 cemented her status as a true trailblazer—one whose determination shattered barriers and reshaped the future for countless women in Canada.
