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A new book will focus on South Carolina's first African American female physician. Authors Dr. Walter B.
Curry, Beverly Aiken-Muhammad and Anusha Ghosh present the narrative of Dr. Matilda Evans and her extraordinary career journey in their book, "South Carolina's Matilda Evans: A Medical Pioneer.” Published by The History Press-Arcadia Publishing, the book serves as the official biography of Evans, detailing her family background, formative years, educational journey, medical practice, community involvement and entrepreneurial ventures.
The book foreword is written by Dr. Bobby Donaldson and provides historical context and research links related to significant events, experiences and reflections on Evans's remarkable journey. Evans was born four years after slavery was abolished and grew up on a family farm in eastern Aiken County.
She became the first African American woman in South Carolina to earn a medical license and passionately advocated for improved healthcare for African Americans, particularly focusing on children. Her formative experiences, educational achievements, deep religious convictions and pioneering medical practices positioned her as a vital advocate for healthcare accessibility in South Carolina, especially during the challenging times of racial segregation. In addition to her medical work, she actively engaged in civic efforts to uplift her community.
She gained admission to the Schofield Normal and Industrial School in Aiken and was inspired by institution's founder Martha Schofield to participate in classes at Oberlin College’s preparatory department from 1887 to 1891. As the only African American in her class, Evans graduated in 1897 from the Women Medical College of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. In May 1898, she obtained her medical license in South Carolina, making her the first African American and first female from the state to be officially authorized to practice medicine.
In 1901, Evans founded the Taylor Lane Hospital in a historic 18-room mansion situated near the intersection of Taylor and Heidt streets in Columbia. This facility not only provided medical care but also functioned as a training institution for African American nurses and physicians, including those who graduated from Harvard Medical School. Evans financed Taylor Lane through various revenue sources, such as donations, fees from white patients in private practice and profits from a 200-hen poultry farm on the premises, along with an off-site truck farm spanning 3 acres behind the hospital.
Additionally, an on-site dairy provided essential milk and butter for patients. By 1910, the hospital had treated over 4,000 African Americans. Curry established Renaissance Publications LLC, a self-publishing venture dedicated to producing works that highlight African American history through the lens of ancestry.
Aiken-Muhammad is the eldest granddaughter of Dr. Matilda Evans. She is the founder, executive director and CEO of the Dr.
Matilda A. Evans Educational Foundation LLC, a nonprofit organization. Ghosh is currently pursuing her medical degree at the University of South Carolina Columbia.
She is dedicated to enhancing the healthcare system, especially for marginalized and stigmatized populations. "South Carolina's Matilda Evans: A Medical Career" is available online at arcadiapublishing.com , renaissancepublc.
com , and barnesandnoble.com ..
