(Ellis Reynolds Shipp was one of several Latter-day Saint women Brigham Young sent to study at Eastern medical colleges in the 1800s. She left her husband, Milford, and three sons to spend three years in Philadelphia studying at a women's medical college. Her diaries, collected in a book titled "While Others Slept," is filled with concern for their well-being.)
Nov. 10, 1875: What a strange fatality! This morning I start for Philadelphia to attend the Medical College. Oh, Heavenly Father, give me strength to endure the separation from my loved ones, and power to succeed in my endeavors to gain a knowledge of Medicine, that my life may be noble and useful upon the earth. Into Thy hands, kind Father, do I commit my treasures. . . .Nov. 13: At about half past three o'clock on Monday morning the old whistle gave the signal of our arrival in the far-famed city of Philadelphia. . . . Oh, what strange sensations - to be alone in a strange City at such an hour. . . . At nine o'clock, we went to the college. . . . Here again I made satisfactory arrangement and received my matriculation ticket, $5; professors ticket, $45; and gave my note for $70, which I must send home and have endorsed. How strange everything seemed; for a time I felt almost bewildered, but soon my interest was awakened and I began to feel my desires for knowledge increase as I began to see and realize how little I knew. . . .
Jan. 9, 1876: How much I would appreciate having a home, a home where comfort and all the facilities for gaining knowledge and intelligence abounded. This desire burns brightly tonight; 'Tis not alone for self, but for my darling children. Oh, I must succeed for their sakes, and my dear husband. . . .
Jan. 11: A lady remarked to me today, "You always appear so sad, as though you were grieving over something." I wondered if it is really true, if my countenance impresses all observers in this manner. I endeavor to be cheerful or at least not to be melancholy. . . . My darling sweet little children, how Mama longs to see you. Oh, how my heart aches - Oh, Milford, if I could just have one word from you, one look at your dear face.
Jan. 13: How much force and energy is required, how much real hard work to gain a little knowledge. If I could only retain what I hear. . . .
Jan. 17: This evening Dr. White (a female instructor) read to the class a scientific discussion between herself and Dr. Vandwalker (a male) on the `Relation of women to professions and skilled labor.' He declares women totally unfit for any advanced or intellectual profession, which she ably defends in the most eloquent and perfect manner.
April 22: Attended a Clinic at 12 o'clock, Obstetrics by Dr. Cleveland. This is to me the most interesting part of my studies. To understand this and the diseases of children shall be my greatest object for the next two years. (She enters in her diary a long description of how a newborn infant should be handled and how a child develops, including this advice to new mothers) By the end of the fourth week, the infant begins to look about the room and notice different objects . . . and long before many mothers are aware, it reads the expression of her features and understands the tones of her voice . . . Then how necessary for mothers to cultivate the purest, mildest and most ennobling emotions, for her child will partake of every sensation of her being.
(Mrs. Shipp became ill and returned to Utah for a time, but ultimately decided, against her husband's wishes, to go back to Philadelphia. She was then expecting another child.)
I felt that I must return to Philadelphia and complete my studies and I came, although I had but one hundred and fifty dollars to pay my fare here, pay for my professors' tickets, my rent, board and not knowing where the next was to come from. . . . I sought to curtail my expenses in every manner possible, praying constantly for my Father to preserve me from want. How dreadful seemed it, though, to be in a strange land among strangers without money. . . . New Year's morning came and I had but one dollar left. . . . (Family members came to her rescue, both with encouragement and financial help.) I do, indeed, feel that "all will be well with me," though I know not today where I am to go nor what I am to do. Still, I am at rest in "One who hears the ravens when they cry, and suffers not a hair of our heads to fall unnoticed. . . . "
April 24: I had a call from Dr. Young, a recent graduate and a fellow student and I might add, an interested friend of mine. She had considered my situation as requiring some kindly interference and asked me to go to her home and remain until I was strong and well again, saying that she would charge me no more than the least I could do with at any other place. . . .
May 25: Another priceless gem added to my jewels. At twelve minutes to seven A.M. my second little daughter was born. (Another girl, Anna, had died.)
Aug. 19: My darling babe (Olea) is so much comfort to me. How lonely would this summer have been without her sweet presence. . . . I shall have no difficulty in completing my studies. . . . Often I hear women murmuring at the fate that gives them children. But, oh, it is to me the crowning joy of a woman's life to be a mother and to feel that love welling from the heart that is a joy both to the giver and the receiver. What nobler mission in life than to be a faithful mother. Joyful will be the day when I can gather my little flock into their fold and perform for them the duties of a mother.
Aug. 24: Was called to attend an obstetric case, my first. Remained with the patient all night. The babe was born the next morning at 8 o'clock and I have reason to be thankful for the very favorable termination of the case. The baby a girl, vertex presentation, first position.
Sept. 1: Went to Salem to post a letter. . . . Had scarcely arrived when a young lady whose acquaintance I had made there said to me, "Did you not say that you were from Utah?" I replied in the affirmative. "Anywhere near Brigham Young?" I answered "Yes," again and began to fortify myself again for the questions that I expected to follow, little dreaming what her next remark would be, when she said, "I suppose you know that he is dead." For a moment I could not breathe and my heart gave a sudden bound and then stood still, but I said, "Oh, no, it cannot be true!" . . . Oh, what sad news. How sorrowful I feel to think I will never behold that noble man again in life. Little did I think when last we clasped hands and he said, "I say go (to Philadelphia) and God bless you" that I would touch that hand and hear that voice no more in this life. . . . My heart mourns for him as a father, a benefactor, and a friend and as one of the greatest prophets that ever lived upon the earth.
Nov. 26: A day never to be forgotten for it has brought such glorious news from my dear husband. For months he has been studying law and will be admitted to the bar next March. He has kept this a secret, thinking to surprise us in the spring, but he concluded to allow us to share in the hopeful joy that fills his heart. Oh, how thankful, how happy I am to know of this glorious change, to know that that noble loved one has at last entered a field wherein he will have full scope for the exercise of his rare and brilliant talents. . . .
March 14, 1878: Graduated from Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania.
Undated: It was a toilsome, long and anxious journey, that trip home on a second-class emigrating train with my ten-months old teething babe. Seven long anxious days and nights, watching and caring for my darling, praying she would not suffer from such a journey, such lack of comforts. . . . To my joyful surprise, my husband met me at Ogden, bringing my darling baby boy with him, the little babe I had left, then not quite one year old, so changed to a handsome healthy boy of nearly four. Oh, to think in the course of the coming days I was to keep him close, to hold him near, he and his precious brothers. . . .
I was not anxious to engage in a busy practice immediately, for I had for all these years been longing for the joys of home companionship, yet there truly existed a burning need of financial help and how gladly I came to the rescue of those dear ones who had done their very best for me. . . . in gaining the preparation for a life of greater usefulness. . . .
(Dr. Shipp became a great influence for better health care in Utah, particularly in training women as midwives. She was very involved in the women's suffrage movement and became acquainted with many of the movement's national leaders, including Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth C. Stanton, Clara Barton and others, many of whom she entertained in her Salt Lake home.)