Harriot Kezia Hunt (1805-1875)

Harriot Kezia Hunt was a trailblazing physician and passionate advocate for women's rights. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, on November 9th 1805, she was largely self-educated and initially worked as a teacher before pursuing a career in medicine. Her journey into the medical field began in 1833 when she studied under Dr. Richard Dixon Mott and Elizabeth Mott, who emphasized holistic healing methods. In 1835, Hunt boldly opened her own medical practice, becoming one of the first women in America to do so without a formal medical degree.

Determined to gain official recognition, Hunt applied to Harvard Medical School in 1847, but her application was rejected due to opposition from male students and faculty. She reapplied in 1849 after Elizabeth Blackwell's historic graduation from Geneva College but was again denied. Undeterred, she continued her independent medical practice and became widely respected for her work, earning an honorary medical degree from the Female Medical College of Pennsylvania in 1853.

Hunt was not only a physician but also a fervent advocate for women's rights and education. She believed in the unique strengths women brought to medicine, arguing that their compassion and attentiveness made them particularly suited for the profession. She founded the Ladies in Physiology Society in 1843 and lectured on health, hygiene, and social reform. A committed activist, she spoke at the first National Women’s Rights Convention in Worcester, Massachusetts, in 1850 and used her platform to support both the abolition of slavery and gender equality.

In 1860, Hunt celebrated the 25th anniversary of her medical practice with a gathering of 1,500 guests, including multiple generations of her patients. She encouraged women to engage in meaningful work, stating, "Do something, if you would be happy."

Harriot Kezia Hunt passed away in Boston on January 2nd 1875 and was laid to rest at Mount Auburn Cemetery.

Her grave is marked by a striking statue of Hygeia, the Greek goddess of health, sculpted by Edmonia Lewis, a distinguished African American and Indigenous Neoclassical artist. Hunt’s legacy endures as a testament to her pioneering spirit in both medicine and the movement for women's rights.

Harriot Kezia Hunt was buried at Mount Auburn in Lot 2630 on Poplar Avenue.