Women's rights in Europe during the 19th century were an intense topic that took on political, social and private forms. One of the pioneering women of this period, Elizabeth Garrett Anderson, spent much of her life performing some of the most important tasks that women had longed for during this time. She furthered her education, had a profound career in medicine, and raised a family, all while being an active supporter of the women's suffrage movement. Elizabeth Garrett Anderson helped shape the image that women could have important careers, be active members of society, and raise families. Elizabeth Garrett was born in 1836 to Newson Garret and Mrs. Louisa Dunnell from Leiston, Suffolk. At the time of Garrett's birth, women were fighting for the freedom and rights of their sex. The girls' views at this time were a heavy debate that left them under a lot of scrutiny and exile in the outside world. Women were seen as prisoners of the home, where they had to obey that of their fathers and ultimately their husbands. Women's education was a fraught debate, with many thinking that women should only learn the academic studies that would help them become worthy mothers and wives. While boys likely attended public schools and in some cases went on to universities, girls were left at home to learn to be a good housekeeper. Aside from the lack of education and benefits for women, women were also fighting for legal rights and fair pay. The Garrett family was large, made up of ten children, six girls and four boys. As the family expanded, they moved to Aldeburgh, where Mr. Garrett became a prominent businessman, somewhat laying the foundations for the success... middle of paper... launched a petition against her. Eventually, Elizabeth Garret was asked to leave the hospital. Although this was a setback in his career, he left with a certificate in Chemistry and Materia Medica. After leaving the hospital, Elizabeth Garret applied to several medical schools. Not surprisingly, she was denied entry to all of them. However, this did not stop her from studying. He was able to receive another certificate in anatomy and physiology. In 1862, he was finally able to undergo private practice at the Society of Apothecaries where he spent three years furthering his education. By being the first woman to obtain a medical license in Britain, Elizabeth Garret became a pioneer in the field of medicine. In 1866, his name appeared in the Medical Register: a milestone after his long and devastating quest to become a recognized doctor..