When Harvard Medical School admitted its first female, in 1850, vigorous protests ensued, prompting the groundbreaking student to withdraw. History would soon be on her side. By the end of World War I, women were trickling into the profession. Eventually, the trickle became a stream. Women continue to make strides, but disparities remain. Here is a brief by-the-numbers account of the triumphs and challenges of women in medicine.
