Remember When: Lucy Hobbs Taylor, America’s First Female Dentist

In the serene town of Constable, New York, an extraordinary woman came into the world—a woman destined to challenge norms, shatter barriers, and etch her legacy in the annals of dentistry. Her name? Lucy Hobbs Taylor.

Lucy Beaman Hobbs was born on March 14, 1833, the seventh of ten children. At the tender age of 12, she worked as a seamstress to support her siblings. But Lucy’s aspirations reached far beyond the needle and thread. She attended school, graduated from Franklin Academy in New York, and then embarked on a decade-long teaching career in Michigan.

Lucy’s odyssey commenced with a fervent dream—to become a dentist. Yet, in the mid-19th century, such aspirations were deemed audacious for a woman. When she sought admission to the Eclectic Medical College in Cincinnati, Ohio, her gender became an insurmountable roadblock. Undeterred, Lucy refused to yield. She sought private tutoring, diligently studying under the watchful eye of a compassionate mentor. Her passion for dentistry blazed brighter than ever.

Undaunted by setbacks, Lucy turned her gaze toward the Ohio College of Dentistry. Once again, the door slammed shut. But Lucy was unyielding. Guided by Professor Jonathan Taft, she embarked on a self-directed course of study. Rather than waiting for acceptance, she boldly opened her own dental practice in Cincinnati in 1861. Lucy Hobbs Taylor emerged as a practicing dentist, diploma or no diploma.

In the autumn of 1865, Lucy achieved a milestone that defied societal norms. She secured admission to the senior class of the Ohio College of Dental Surgery—a feat previously denied to women. With unwavering resolve, she immersed herself in her studies, and by February 1866, she stood proudly as a graduate. Her diploma bore witness to her resilience and unwavering commitment to dentistry.

While practicing dentistry in the bustling city of Chicago, Lucy’s life took yet another turn. In 1867, she married James M. Taylor, a man who would be more than her life partner. Under Lucy’s guidance, James too embraced dentistry, following in her footsteps. Together, they forged an indomitable team, their shared dedication to oral health propelling them forward.

Later that year, Lucy and James embarked on a westward journey, settling in Lawrence, Kansas. Their dental practice thrived, attracting patients from near and far. Their legacy endures—a testament to Lucy Hobbs Taylor’s unwavering spirit and her transformative impact on the field of dentistry.

Lucy Hobbs Taylor’s story is one of resilience, courage, and unwavering commitment. She paved the way for generations of women in dentistry. As we celebrate Women’s History Month, we owe a debt of gratitude to this pioneering woman who dared to dream beyond societal norms.

Photo credit: St. Petersburg Endodontics