hope that she might be admitted as a student of dentistry. She
gave her name as Henrietti Hirschfeld, of Berlin. The matter came
up before the faculty, and after a free discussion of the whole
subject, she was rejected by a majority vote, but two voting in
her favor.

In a subsequent interview with Professor Truman, he learned that
she had left her native land with the full assurance that she
would have no difficulty in "free America" in securing a dental
education. She had also the positive sanction of her government,
through the then minister of instruction, Dr. Falk, that on
condition of receiving an American diploma she would be permitted
to practice on her return. Her distress, therefore, at this
initial failure was, naturally, very great. The excitement that
this application made was intensified when it was rumored among
the students that a woman desired to be matriculated. The
opposition became very bitter, and manifested itself in many
petty annoyances. In the course of a day or two one gentleman of
the faculty, and he the dean, concluded to change his vote, and
as this decided the question, she was admitted. The opposition of
the professor of anatomy, who belonged to the old school of
medical teachers, was so manifest that it was deemed advisable to
have her take anatomy in the Woman's Medical College for that
winter. The first year of this was in every way satisfactory.
Although the students received her and Mrs. Truman, who
accompanied her on the first visit, with a storm of hisses, they
gradually learned not only to treat her with respect, but she
became a favorite with all, and while not convinced as to the
propriety of women in dentistry, they all agreed that Mrs.
Hirschfeld might do as an exception. The last year she was
permitted by the irate professor of anatomy, Dr. Forbes, to take
that subject under him.

She graduated with honor, and returned to Berlin to practice her
profession. This was regarded as an exceptional case, and by no
means settled the status of the college in regard to women. The
conservative element was exceedingly bitter, and it was very
evident that a long time must elapse before another woman could
be admitted. The great stir made by Mrs. Hirschfeld's graduation
brought several other applications f