Ethel Williams (physician)

Ethel Williams (1863-1948) was a British physician, surgeon, and suffragist. She was one of the first women to practice medicine in Newcastle upon Tyne, and she dedicated her career to improving the health and well-being of women and children.

Born in Cromer, Norfolk, Williams studied medicine at the London School of Medicine for Women, qualifying in 1891. She then worked as a house surgeon at the Royal Free Hospital in London. In 1893, she moved to Newcastle upon Tyne and established a private practice, specializing in obstetrics and gynecology.

Williams was a strong advocate for women's rights and played an active role in the suffrage movement. She was a member of the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies and campaigned for women's right to vote. She also believed in the importance of providing medical care to women by women.

In addition to her private practice, Williams served as a medical officer at the Newcastle Dispensary for Women and Children and at the Babies Hospital. She was also instrumental in establishing the Northern Women's Hospital, which opened in 1917 and provided medical care to women during World War I. After the war, the hospital continued to serve the community and was later renamed the Ethel Williams Hospital in her honor.

Williams retired from medical practice in 1942. She died in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1948, leaving a legacy of dedicated service to the medical profession and the women of the region. Her contributions to women's health and her commitment to social justice continue to be remembered and celebrated.