Dr. Julia Minerva Green was a distinguished American physician and homoeopathic pioneer based in Washington, DC. She was born on 24th March 1871 in Malden, Massachusetts. Her journey from a shy, petite young girl to a trailblazer in medicine is nothing short of inspirational.
Early Life and Education
When she was 6 years old, Dr. Green moved with her family to Washington, DC. She later graduated from Wellesley College in 1893 and Boston University in 1898. Her personal experiences inspired her decision to pursue medicine with Homoeopathy.
She once exclaimed, “The only women doctors I knew were pseudo-masculine types and I could not face that.” Once she was treated by a “woman doctor of the delightfully feminine type who showed me I need not be hesitant on account of the half-masculine picture I had been.” Treated by this feminine and compassionate female doctor, she realised her career aspirations without compromising her identity. At Boston University, she joined a class of 45 students, where only 15 were women—a reflection of the times.
Challenges in Medical Practice
Dr. Green began her medical practice in 1900 in Washington, DC. The early years were difficult, particularly as a woman physician in a male-dominated field. She often faced scepticism from potential patients. She recalled an incident when a potential patient, upon realizing the “doctor” was a woman, fled in confusion and embarrassment.
Despite such challenges, her determination never wavered. She navigated the city on a bicycle, making house calls, using fishing weights sewn into her dress hem to maintain decorum while pedalling. By 1907, she had advanced to driving, purchasing the second car ever owned in Washington, DC—the first belonging to the President.
Personal Life and Legacy
Barely five feet tall and soft-spoken, Dr. Green remained unmarried, once saying, “I didn’t think I could do both jobs well”. Her lifestyle reflected discipline and simplicity. She lived in a beautiful home she built in 1916 at 2726 Quebec Street, Washington, DC—then a sparsely populated area with unpaved roads. She believed in daily exercise, walking for 15 minutes every day, working out every joint of her body and often sleeping outside on her porch for fresh air.
Sandra M. Chase, one of her mentees, fondly recalled Dr. Green’s “custom-made shoes,” particularly the Murray Space Shoes popular among professionals who spent long hours on their feet.
Professional Achievements
Dr. Green’s expertise and dedication earned her widespread respect. She co-founded the American Foundation for Homoeopathy, which she credited for helping her overcome her lifelong shyness, leading the organization alongside another woman doctor and several male colleagues. About shyness, she once said, “…That was my number one enemy, fought valiantly but very often without success until I was 50 when the American Foundation for Homoeopathy was founded by one other woman doctor and myself (and several male doctors). The fight for that ever since has helped my morale wonderfully in fighting the timidity.”
In 1933, she served as the President of the International Hahnemannian Association (IHA).
Dr. Green’s diagnostic skills were praised by her colleagues, noting her ability to detect diseases early, often before symptoms became pathological. Her holistic approach and sharp observational skills kept her patients healthy and satisfied.
She continued her practice even as she approached 90. In her later years, Dr. Green mentored Dr. Maesimund B. Panos. Her career spanned nearly six decades, encompassing both the decline and the resurgence of homoeopathy.
Literary Contributions
Dr. Green was also a prolific writer. Her works contributed significantly to homoeopathic literature, including:
- Miasmatic Children & Homoeopathy
- Methods of Studying Materia Medica
- Zinc Suppression in Children
- A Case of Myxoma and Lymphatic Leukemia
- Relationship of the Behaviour of Children to Homoeopathic Prescribing
Legacy
Dr. Julia Minerva Green was a beacon of resilience and progress in medicine. Despite her small stature, she exuded an aura of confidence and authority that drew attention and demanded respect from those around her. Through her pioneering efforts, literary contributions, and dedication to her patients, she left an indelible mark on the field of Homoeopathy and the broader medical community. Her legacy continues to inspire generations of medical professionals.
Dr. Green continued seeing patients a few days each week until she died on 11th December 1963.
Author
Prof. (Dr.) Subhas Singh1, Dr. Rumsha Tamkeen2, Dr. Jyotidarshanee2, Dr. Vignesh S.2, Dr. Binay P. Singh2, Dr. Vaishnavi Achrekar2.
- Director, National Institute of Homoeopathy, Kolkata
- Postgraduate scholar, National Institute of Homoeopathy, Kolkata
