History has a way of remembering only a small handful of the dozens of incredible pioneers that worked for the good of humanity. One such pioneer is Dorothea Dix.
Dorothea was an activist for positive global reforms throughout the 19th century, particularly in the fields of nursing and mental health. Despite suffering from severe illnesses herself throughout her life, she spent the majority of her time fighting for the better treatment of those experiencing mental health struggles, those who are hospitalized, and for indigenous populations.
“Your minds may now be linked to a garden, which will, if neglected, yield only weeds and thistles; but, if cultivated, will produce the most beautiful flowers and the most delicious fruits,” Dorothea said. She is credited as playing a role in the founding and expanding of more than 30 hospitals to provide more humane and equitable treatment for people experiencing mental health symptoms.
Additionally, during the Civil War, she served as the Superintendent of Army Nurses for the Union Army, working just yards away from the frontlines providing and supervising the provision of medical care to soldiers of both sides of the conflict.
Without Dorothea’s hard work, the mental health and substance use treatment landscape would likely look a lot different right now in the USA. She was courageous, strong, resilient and fiercely intelligent.
Today, there are thousands of women just like Dorothea that are working hard to continue to positively transform the healthcare system we have for the benefit of you and me. We celebrate these women, and we look forward to reading their biographies in our history books someday.
In the meantime, we join them in the hard work! Perhaps the greatest accomplishment of Dorothea and women like her is the continued spread of this life-saving message: you are not alone in your struggle or your suffering. Let’s all spread this message.
If you or someone you know is need of mental health counseling or substance use treatment, please reach out to The Willow Center today!
Written by Chase Cotten, Community Director
