Anarcha's Triumph: Reclaiming Gynecology's True Mother

For centuries, J. Marion Sims was celebrated as the 'Father of Modern Gynecology' for his surgical innovations, particularly in treating vesicovaginal fistula. However, this narrative largely omitted the experiences of the enslaved African American women upon whom his techniques were perfected. Anarcha Westcott, a young mother suffering from a fistula after childbirth, was one such patient, subjected to approximately 30 procedures without anesthesia, as Sims reportedly believed Black women felt less pain.

Extensive research, notably by J. C. Hallman in his 2023 book "Say Anarcha," has unearthed Anarcha's significant contributions beyond these experimental surgeries. Far from being a mere historical footnote, she later served as a midwife and nurse at Sims' hospital, caring for other enslaved women. This work has led to a movement to reframe her legacy, with many now calling for Anarcha to be recognized as the "mother of gynecology."

Contemporary efforts are rectifying this historical erasure. In 2018, Sims' statue was removed from Central Park. More recently, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists dedicated two days to honor Anarcha, Lucy, and Betsey. Art exhibitions and public monuments, like Michelle Browder's 15-foot statue in Montgomery, now celebrate these women as pioneers. These initiatives underscore ongoing inequities in healthcare access and affordability, reminding practitioners to remember names like Anarcha's.