March is Women’s History Month

March is Women’s History Month, a time to recognize the diversity of women, honor the contributions of women throughout history and inspire future generations. Seattle Children’s is an organization built and strengthened by many strong, persistent and resilient women. Here are just two of their stories.

Anna Clise

In 1907, with the help of 23 female friends, Anna Clise established the first facility in the Pacific Northwest to treat these children, most of who would otherwise have been left to endure pain and disability throughout their lives. Her original vision still guides Seattle Children’s today.

Learn more about the history of Seattle Children’s here.

Odessa Brown

Odessa Brown was born in Arkansas in 1920. During the Great Depression, Brown moved to Chicago and had difficulty getting the care she needed when she experienced health problems. She was turned away at one Chicago area hospital. Brown reportedly said to the staff, “I am Black and poor, but I will leave in peace so that I can keep my dignity.”

Years later at the height of the civil rights movement, Brown became a community organizer in Seattle while also raising her 4 children. She fought to bring quality healthcare with dignity to children in the Central District. Brown died of leukemia in 1969 at age 49. When the new children’s clinic opened the next year, a thankful community named it in her honor.

Learn more about the Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic here.

You can support the life-saving treatments, innovative research, and transformational pediatric care at Seattle Children’s by donating today.