The
founding of the West Philadelphia Hospital for Women was largely the work of
Dr. Elizabeth Comly (1842-1912). She was
the daughter of Emmor Comly and Hannah Bowman of Byberry, Philadelphia Co. He had a farm at what is now the intersection
of Comly Rd. and Academy Rd. In 1880, Elizabeth
lived at 3720 Spring Garden St. with her sister and brother-in-law, Joshua R.
and Deborah Howell. She was 37 years old
and on the medical staff of Woman's Medical College. Her sister died
at age 46 in 1882. About 1886, Elizabeth and Joshua moved to 3404 Spring Garden St. They married in 1888 and Elizabeth added
his name to her’s.
Dr. Comly
Howell was very aware that women “had indeed awakened to the fact that she has
more to do in this world than simply to see that her home is well ordered and
attractive…” In a lecture published in 1878 entitled “Women’s Work,” she outlined the professional advances made by
women in many fields. However, she noted
that: “In no field of labor have woman met with more
opposition than in the practice of medicine. [Many] … feared the woman would be
lost in the physician. But… by indefatigable efforts, hospitals were
founded, in a few years, in New York, Boston and Philadelphia, and scores of
young women have had clinical practice in America and received diplomas. But
the older and richly-endowed medical colleges have not generously opened their
doors to women.” (Quarterly Report of the Pennsylvania Board of Agriculture, 1878: 92-7.)
The origin
of the West Philadelphia Hospital for Women was described in a report of its
Board of Managers. "In May, 1889,
five women met in the parlor of Dr. Comly-Howell [3404 Spring Garden St.] to
discuss the possibility of establishing in West Philadelphia a hospital and dispensary
for women under the care of women…. Poor
people in this locality were often unable to avail themselves of the much
appreciated benefits of the Woman's Hospital… on account of the distance and
limit of time they could afford from their homes. None of the various hospitals
already established offered a place where women could be treated by women, and
this desired end was freely discussed at the above meetings. All were in favor
of this undertaking, but some were doubtful, afraid to take so great a
responsibility without a penny for their treasury. Courage was soon gained,
however, and this was largely due to the strong nature of Dr. Comly-Howell,
who, in every objection urged or doubt expressed, maintained a serenity and
confidence that was in itself an inspiration."
The West
Philadelphia Hospital for Women opened in 1889 at the northeast corner of N. 41st
and Ogden Streets in a private house converted for treating out-patients and
with 10 beds for in-patients. It later expanded
through the block to Parrish St. and a training school for nursing began in 1890. Dr.
Comly Howell was responsible for deliveries east of 37th St. Dr. Elizabeth L. Peck, another doctor at the
Hospital, also lived for a time at 3404 Spring Garden St. Other Powelton residents who were founding members were Mary
Sellers Bancroft (3417 Hamilton St.), her daughter, Elizabeth Parrish (3407
Spring Garden), Anna Williams Dreer (101 N. 33rd St.), Emma B. Foulke (3403 Hamilton St.), Helen Marot (317 N. 33rd
St.), Sarah M. W. Sellers (3300 Arch St.) and Miss Mila
F. Smith (218 N. 32nd St.).
Dr. Comly
Howell continued serving women in the neighborhood until the late 1890s when
she and her husband moved to Chester County where he was a farmer and she
continued her work as a physician.
The
Hospital merged with the Women’s Hospital of Philadelphia in 1929. It continued to handle maternity cases in the
area. In 1964, Women’s Hospital was
absorbed by the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. The records of the Hospital are now part of the
Archives of Drexel University.
(A shorter version of this appeared in the Powelton Post, March, 2012.)
