Name/Title
Dr. Darrow with PaintingTags
Dr. Anna Darrow, Women's HistoryDescription
Dr. Darrow with PaintingPhotograph Details
Subject Person or Organization
Darrow, Dr. Anna A.Collection
Women's History, History Fort Lauderdale Photograph CollectionCataloged By
Emeri CejkaLexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Secondary Object Term
Print, PhotographicNomenclature Primary Object Term
PhotographNomenclature Sub-Class
Graphic DocumentsNomenclature Class
Documentary ObjectsNomenclature Category
Category 08: Communication ObjectsGeneral Notes
Note Type
Historical NoteNote
Dr. Anna Darrow 1876-1959
Dr. Anna Darrow was born in Jasper County, Indiana, before the family moved to Chicago in 1890. Her passion for painting began after two of her works from high school were displayed at the World's Columbian Exhibit in Chicago in 1893. Anna met Charles Darrow while studying at a business college. The Darrow’s had two children, Richard G. Darrow and Dorothy Darrow. Anna experienced an illness while pregnant which led to the realization she wanted to be a doctor.
She enrolled in 1903 at what today is Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. Anna passed the medical examination with honors, scoring ninety-eight percent, the highest grade ever scored at that time. She was the second woman ever to apply and be licensed as a doctor in the state of Florida. The Darrow’s opened their practice in Tantie (Okeechobee) in 1911. Dr. Darrow treated cattlemen, black and white catfishermen, and Seminoles alike, accepting venison and turkeys as payment.
In 1922, the Darrow’s, feeling overworked and discouraged with the pace of things in Tantie, decided to move to Stuart. They spent the summer traveling the country before returning to Stuart in the midst of boom times, but there was no office space available to open a practice. William Marshall, Fort Lauderdale's first mayor, was a friend of the Darrow’s and told them that the town needed doctors. In 1924, they moved to Fort Lauderdale and established their practice. Dr. Darrow was the first female physician in Fort Lauderdale.
Dr. Anna Darrow practiced medicine for 47 years and delivered over 1,000 babies. An accomplished artist, not only did she derive great personal satisfaction from her painting but firmly believed that the study of art helped her in her work as a physician.
Dr. Anna Darrow posing with her artwork. History Fort Lauderdale Photograph CollectionCreated By
eandrews@historyfortlauderdale.orgCreate Date
November 15, 2023Updated By
eandrews@historyfortlauderdale.orgUpdate Date
November 15, 2023