Missing History: Anarcha, Betsey, and Lucy's Legacy in Gynecologic Textbooks

Abstract

The legacy of J. Marion Sims as the "father of gynecology" has become widely controversial among medical professionals and lay public because of ethical concerns surrounding the development of his surgical techniques and his exploitation of enslaved women for his experiments. Notably, in April 2018, the City of New York relocated a commemorative statue of Sims from Central Park following an art commission's investigation of his controversial practices. The relocation was viewed by many as a public acknowledgement of the contributions of Anarcha, Betsey, Lucy, and the other enslaved women to the advancement of gynecologic surgery. However, despite the increased public awareness of the women's sacrifices in recent years medical literature has not kept pace. We compared the portrayal of Sims and these enslaved women within current gynecology textbooks, prior editions, and historical medical literature. We found that gynecologic textbooks more often mention J. Marion Sims by name (74%) compared to the enslaved women he experimented on (24%). Neither current gynecologic surgery textbooks nor primary historical sources contain significant references to these women, meaning much of their story has been lost to history. While there has been increased public knowledge of the sacrifices of Anarcha, Betsey, and Lucy and other enslaved women, lay recognition is not enough. Full acknowledgment of their contributions necessitates crediting their roles in Sims' experiments and stating their names in medical literature.