Wh-Where am I?” I looked up, amused at the color-painted world, very distinctly not Earth. ”Hello, little one. ” A loud and authoritative voice answers. “Umn…” I pause, “Hello, I guess?” “Do you know what happened to you?” The voice observes. “No. Why aren’t I on Earth? Is this some messed-up prank?” I leave an empty tension hanging. “Ah, a very smart one indeed. I surely underestimated you. You fell down a flight of stairs into a deep coma on the morning of February 20th, 2026.” The now focused voice states, sighing. “Everything you’re seeing is your imagination filling in the dark, empty blanks of what’s really going on.” He steps out of the bright light into view. “God? Wait, if this is my imagination, why am I seeing you?” “You are a Christian, correct?” He quickly responds, as if expecting that question. “Yes? Why?….” “Well, a Christian would see God, a Muslim would see Allah, and an atheist would see whatever the strongest belief of theirs is.” He remains tired, yet knowing he has to say something.
“Well, no more stalling. Time to ask the big question-” He pauses, waiting for an interruption; “What black history figures would you like to visit within your time in the coma?” “Wait- what do you mean by that? Like going back through the past 100 years or something?” I laugh, almost making fun of him. “Yes.” He stiffens up, clearly being serious and catching my attention now. “Umn, well I guess..” I take a long moment to think. “Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler? Her work was very inspiring.” “Great answer! Now, to earn the privilege of meeting her, you must summarize and give facts about her life.” “Gladly! Luckily, I’ve done an actual school report on her too…”
Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler was born on February 8th, 1831, whose parents’ names were Absolum Davis and Matilda Webber. She was born in the state of Delaware and raised by her aunt from Pennsylvania. This was the very aunt who inspired her. Dr. Crumbler states, “Having been reared by a kind aunt in Pennsylvania, whose usefulness with the sick was continually sought, I early conceived a liking for, and sought every opportunity to be in a position to relieve the sufferings of others.” In 1850, she moved to Charleston, Massachusetts, where she worked as a nurse for 8 years. She also married her first husband, Wyatt Lee, in 1852.
At that time, there were no official or certified nursing schools for her to attend, so she worked without any experience or knowledge of this. Soon later, she went on to earn a spot at the New England Female Medical College (NEFMC) in 1860, which was the first school in the area to train women M.D.s, where, at the time, men argued about whether women were able to perform such duties. A few years later, she earned a degree and was the first African American woman in the U.S. to become an M.D. or a Doctor of Medicine. Later, she married Arthur Crumpler.
After some time working in Boston, Crumpler moved to Richmond, Virginia, after the Civil War was over. Around 1870, she had her first and only known child, named Lizzie Sinclair Crumpler, who was believed to have passed away in her infancy or young childhood, as there are no other records of her. Women’s History states, “The Crumplers would have one daughter, Lizzie Sinclair Crumpler, in 1870, but it is believed she died young.”
She then partnered with many organizations to help the freed African American slaves, such as the Freedmen’s Bureau. She states the following about Virginia, “a proper field for real missionary work, and one that would present ample opportunities to become acquainted with the diseases of women and children. During my stay there, nearly every hour was improved in that sphere of labor. The last quarter of the year 1866, I was enabled to have access each day to a very large number of the indigent, and others of different classes, in a population of over 30,000 colored.” Even though black physicians received great criticism, she continued to work there and help them.
She and Arthur moved to the Hyde Park Neighborhood of Boston. She went on to publish her first and only book, called ‘Book of Medical Discourses’, about her experience caring for women and children, so she could share it with others.
National Park Services states, “Dr. Crumpler married twice and had one child, Lizzie Sinclair Crumpler. She passed away in Boston in 1895 and is buried in Fairview Cemetery.2 Her life and work testify to her talent and determination to help other people, in the face of doubled prejudice against her gender and race.” Later on, she became respected and loved, very sad she didn’t get to experience it when she was alive.”
“Wow… that was truly beautiful..” God stated hesitantly, clearly shocked at the power of my words. “I can truly tell you deeply deserve to meet her and experience some of the things she went through…” “Thank you; that truly means a lot to me knowing that you appreciate my work.” I smiled with pure joy. “Well, goodbye Annalea.” He said as if the words tasted like honey on his tongue.
Once he finished talking, he snapped his fingers, and I was reborn as one of Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler’s coworkers. “Annalea, can you hand me the gauze?” THE Dr. Crumpler stated. “What’s taking you so long, and why are you suddenly staring at me like that?” She asked, confused and slightly amused. “Um, nothing, Ma’m.. Sorry Ma’m.” I hesitantly stated. “Ma’m? What’s wrong? Are you sick? Why are you suddenly respecting me?” “Would you like to go to lunch with me?” I shouted, startling Dr. Crumpler. “Um, yes? Are you positively sure that you’re fine, though? And can you hand me the gauze now, please?” “Thank you! Yes, and yes, Ma’m!” I gleamed.
I then handed her the gauze, and suddenly, in a flash, I was at lunch with her. Okay, weird, but whatever… “What would you like, Annalea?” She nodded at the waitress. “Wow.. this stuff is expensive.” “You don’t have to worry about it! I’ll pay. It’s the only thing I can do, since you’re being so nice to me!” She pointed at her money. “Really? You don’t have to do that!” I chuckled. “Oh, but I do, dear.” She giggled back. “Okay then, I guess I’ll have the classic sandwich and a lemonade? Thank you!” I replied. “Of course, Ma’m! It’ll be out right away!” The waitress scurried away. “So, how have you been, dearie?” Crumbler replied, “By the way, you can call me Rebecca! No need for all the fancy addresses.” Omg, I’m dreaming! The Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler said I could call her by her first name! Oh, wait, I am dreaming…. Well, whatever, because it feels real enough to almost believe. “Of course, Rebecca! I’ve been wonderful lately. What about you?” I inquired about her. “I’ve been wonderful, Annalea. How have your studies been on the human body? I’m sure it’s been great!” “Thank you for asking!” I began sweating, dreading what I would have to say next. “I’ve learned a lot of new things and am grateful for the opportunity!” I let out, beads of sweat forming on my forehead as Rebecca stared at me for what felt like a millennium. “That’s great to hear, dearie! Glad you’re still focused on those studies of yours.” She smiled at me.
In the blink of an eye, I was at her school where she graduated. Wow. I can’t believe I’m actually getting to experience this in my flesh and bones. Well, not mine. How do I always manage to ruin the moment? This is the moment. I’m getting to watch one of my literal idols graduate as the first African American woman as an M.D. from that school and the whole US? I looked up from my hands, and there she was, she was smiling and looking at me specifically! “Rebecca Lee Crumpler, please come up to accept your certificate.” The broadcaster announced, as a few of her own colleagues, white men and women, howled at the funniness of her graduation. I just wanna punch them in the face. Little did they know, she would do more after she graduated than any of them had in their whole lives! “I’m personally really glad to be presenting you this, even though some of the other professors agreed otherwise.” He whispered in her ear as she chuckled. “Dr. Crumpler is one out of three outstanding graduates this year out of more than 15 thousand students!” He shouted so he was sure everyone heard. Some began erupting in joy and happiness, while others either booed or stayed silent.
Clap! I was suddenly in her home. Oh no. I looked at the calendar quickly, and it said March 9th, 1895. Oh no. “Hello, dearie.” Rebecca gasped. “I’m really, truly glad you came to see me one last time.” She gasped for air again, going unconscious. “Rebecca?” I asked gently, checking if she was still alive. She then woke back up, beginning to create strange sounds. “I never informed you because I was worried it would scare you off, but I have Fibroid Cancer.” She stated blankly, as if it was the most normal thing ever. “I’m the happiest woman on earth, knowing you were there for me when the times were rough and always supported me in my decisions, Annalea. I’m truly going to miss you.” And just like that, she had said her final goodbyes, drifting off to a forever sleep that would leave many devastated for the years to come. She passed away on March 9th, 1895, in her home in Hyde Park, Massachusetts, where she was later buried in an unmarked grave at Fairview Cemetery. Finally, 125 years after her death, in 2000, a fundraiser was made to grant her her own headstone as she well deserved. RIP.