Viewing page 1 of 22

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

DR. MATILDA ARABELLA EVANS

by Burnett W. Gallman Jr.,M.D.

Follow in the footsteps of your ancestors, for the mind is trained through knowledge. Behold, their words endure in books. Open and read them and follow their wise counsel. For one who is taught becomes skilled. Do not be evil for kindness is good. Make the memory of you last through love of you. Multiply the people whom the city shelters, then God will be praised for your donations. And the people will...give thanks for your goodness and pray for your health.
The Husia

As an Afrikan American physician, there are certain rules that are learned during an Afrikan upbringing that are also traditionally learned during and after specialty training. The uppermost of these rules is that we should respect and learn from those older physicians who are willing to teach us (our Elders). We also venerate the accomplishments and contributions of our ancestors. Perhaps this bit of knowledge came down from the first known physician, Imhotep, the Afrikan who was also the world's first known multigenius. We know that medical knowledge during his time was both empirical and scientific and the educational system (which was frequently called the Mystery System) called for respect for the teacher. The exoteric and esoteric methods that were used extolled the virtues of learning from the honored Elders.

The study of the life of Dr. Matilda Arabella Evans is also very instructive because it contains many lessons that are part and parcel of the Afrikancentered perspective. For a woman and especially an Afrikan American woman to achieve what she did during the time period that she did is remarkable. More remarkable is the fact that many lesser known and less educated Afrikan American women were doing many of the things that she was doing at the same time: working and striving for the good of all humanity and especially

Transcription Notes:
Not sure if "Afrikan" should be changed to "African" since this was the way the word was spelled and is probably cultural integrity.