Date: 1981
Credit Line: Presented by faculty, alumnae, Board of Corporators and friends
Made/Created
Artist
Alice Kent Stoddard
Date made
1943
Dimensions
Dimension Description
Framed
Height
49 in
Width
43-1/2 in
Dimension Description
Unframed
Height
41 in
Width
34 in
Interpretative Labels
Label Type
Exhibition Label
Label
Ellen Culver Potter received her degree of Doctor of Medicine from the Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania in 1903. She entered and remained in general practice until 1918, at which time she began a distinguished career of public service. She was the first woman to hold a Commonwealth Cabinet appointment as Pennsylvania’s Secretary of Welfare from 1923 until 1927. From 1927 to 1946, Dr. Potter was Director of Medicine for the New Jersey State Department of Institutions and Agencies, as well as Superintendent of both the State Reformatory for Women at Clinton and the State Home for Girls at Trenton.
Dr. Potter was actively concerned with the advancement of women in medicine and with the welfare of her alma mater. She was Medical Director of the Woman’s Medical College Hospital from 1918 until 1920 and President of the College from 1941 until 1943. She was a member of the Board of Corporators of the College and a life member and President (1929-1930) of the American Medical Women’s Association.
