User:Beth.autumnnn/sandbox

This is for the most part a quality article that discusses the topic at hand from a neutral point of view without bias or skewed interests. The article is missing a few citations, but has numerous sources from many different backgrounds and points of view. The linked articles were helpful for filling in missing information and giving an extended view of the topic. I would like to see more in depth information about the laws and regulations that have shaped women's experiences in the health field. Additionally, information regarding the stereotyping women face while pursuing a medical degree early on would be both relatable and helpful. This article is apart of gender study projects among other hot topics in today's society.

I choose Catherine Kaidyee Blaikley. Although there are many references listed, the wiki article over her is almost completely blank. Her entire medical career has been reduced to one sentence. I would like to expand on her training/education that made her a famous woman in medicine, in addition to how she progressed through her career.

ROUGH DRAFT

Sources:

“Catherine Blaikley - Williamsburg's Midwife.” The Colonial Williamsburg Official History & Citizenship Site, www.history.org/almanack/people/bios/biobla.cfm.

Depauw, Linda Grant (1975). Founding Mothers: Women of America in the Revolutionary Era. Houghton Mifflin. p. 41. ISBN 9780395701096. Retrieved 21 October 2015

Sturz, Linda L. "Catherine Kaidyee Blaikley (ca. 1695–1771)". Encyclopedia Virginia. Retrieved 21 October 2015.

"Blaikley-Durfey House Historical Report, Block 14 Building 16C Lot 350". Colonial Williamsburg. Retrieved 21 October 2015

Murphy, Drew (July 10, 1988). "A fond goodbye... a tentative hello". The News-Journal. Retrieved 21 October 2015.

Outline:

Life history -

Birthplace) around 1695 to William and Martha Kaidyee, in York County, Virginia

Childhood) only daughter and one of two children

Adulthood) married her husband William Blaikley on September 11, 1718 and the two had at least five children together, the family enjoyed a modest living and upon William's death around 1736

Death) died in October 1771 and was buried in the cemetery at Bruton Parish Church

Career History -

midwifery) "eminent Midwife" who delivered "upwards of 3000 Children"

DRAFT FOR PEER REVIEW

Catherine Kaidyee Blaikley (c. 1695 – 1771) was an 18th-century American landowner and midwife, best known for claims that she had delivered over 3,000 children.

Life History

Catherine Blaikley was born around 1695 to William and Martha Kaidyee, in York County, Virginia. She was the couple's only daughter and had two brothers (3). Catherine married her husband William Blaikley, a merchant (1) and watchmaker (3), on September 11, 1718. The Blaikleys' had at least five children together, two of which were boys who died at a young age (3). The family resided in what is now known as Catherine Blaikley House on Duke of Gloucester Street in Williamsburg, Virginia (1). Later, an inventory of the estate would reveal that the family enjoyed a comfortable living with luxuries such as silver spoons and slaves (3). William Blaikley died in May of 1736, leaving Catherine a widow for 35 years (1).

Upon her husband's death, Catherine Blaikley inherited all of his property which included 50 acres of land in Henrico County, a mill in Brunswick, and the family homestead (3). Economic opportunities for women were limited during this time period, but widwifery was considered to be an appropriate occupation, as was offering lodging, which Blaikley also did. Financial records indicate that Blaikley was able to maintain her standard of living. An advertisement she placed looking for her red moracco pocketbook, sugggested she had possession of paper money and access to drugs (4).

Blaikley died in October 1771 and was buried in the cemetery at Bruton Parish Church. An obituary ran in one of the newspapers of the day and described her as an "eminent midwife." In the 1950s Colonial Williamsburg restored Blaikley's home and is now a historical tourist site (5).

Career History

It is unknown exactly when Blaikley began working as a midwife but historian Linda Sturz has stated that it was likely around three years after the death of her husband. Midwifery, or the care of women before, during, and after birth, was a common and respectable occupation during this time and was often a full time job (2). This was one of the few medically related careers that was not discriminatory against women world wide. However, women were expected to call upon a physician should severe complications arise. In America before the revolution and medical schools were in place, there were no restrictions on women to practice medicine, so it is likely Blaikley dealt with these issues on her own. Blaikley was reported to have delivered upwards of three thousand children, presumably both free and slave (3). Blaikley supplemented her income by lodging businessmen and other important figures traveling through Williamsburg.