The Cure for Women

“In an era when the international medical establishment considered women too fragile to be doctors, Mary Putnam Jacobi used a combination of her own strong will and her family’s influence to obtain a medical degree from the Sorbonne, before returning to New York to take on the system. Jacobi didn’t just support other women in joining the medical profession: She won prestigious medical prizes, conducted the first serious research on female reproductive biology, worked with suffragists and revolutionized women’s health care, all while facing down societal challenges and personal tragedy.” ―9 Books Coming in December, The New York Times

“Everyone should know the names of Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell and Dr. Mary Putnam Jacobi … Lydia Reeder’s work of history tells their stories with … verve.” ―20 Best New Book Releases, Parade

“An urgent and revealing slice of history.” ―Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Fascinating…. A much-needed biography of an extraordinary woman.” ―Kirkus“A highly readable book about an extraordinary woman, her life and challenges, her loves as losses and the bravery it took to challenge a system.” –Lee Woodruff, Bookmarks

“A lively, engaging portrait of one of the most influential women in Victorian medicine. Reeder artfully brings to life the fascinating story of Mary Putnam Jacobi, a visionary physician and ardent feminist whose ambition and perseverance amid ceaseless sexism are truly inspiring. Not only did Jacobi use scientific research to unequivocally refute the sexist claims of male doctors about female inferiority, but she also helped transform medicine into a science-based pursuit. A worthy, captivating subject indeed.” ―Olivia Campbell, New York Times bestselling author of Women in White Coats“Powerful, suspenseful, cinematic. Lydia Reeder has a talent for uncovering little-known heroes from the past and making their stories compulsively readable.” ―Lindsey Fitzharris, New York Times Bestselling Author of The Facemaker“A fascinating history of the women who charged down medicine’s ‘forbidden path, ’ fighting not only for better care and opportunities for women, but so much more.” ―Rachel Swaby, author of Headstrong: 52 Women Who Changed Science and the World“I learned so much. Reeder intricately weaves together the detailed stories of suffrage, medicine, science, and courage, painting a vivid portrait of a society in flux… With its significant implications for the ongoing struggle for women’s rights, The Cure for Women serves as a poignant reminder that great strides in the fight for gender equality were made by real women whose activism changed the world.” ―Rana Awdish, MD FACP FCCP, Clinical Professor, MSU College of Human Medicine, author of In Shock

“The Cure for Women reads like it was stolen from the silver screen: the pace is relentless, the writing beautiful, and the narrative captivating…. Lydia Reeder’s writing is as essential as basic biology, and her book gives us needed perspective on the power of activism and organization in medicine.”―Nathalia Holt, New York Times bestselling author of Rise of the Rocket Girls and Wise Gals

“In The Cure for Women, we hear the vivid cogent voices of brave and dedicated 19th century women who helped put science and evidence into medical practice, and who speak to us clearly across the years about how to make change happen.” ―Perri Klass, MD, Professor of Journalism and Pediatrics at NYU, author of The Best Medicine: How Science and Public Health Gave Children a Future

“A highly readable account of a truly ground-breaking woman and her pioneering work. The book is also a great primer for those wishing to understand the misogynistic “medical” theories of the nineteenth century that attempted to keep women like Elizabeth Packard down - and which still impact our lives today.” ―Kate Moore, New York Times bestselling author of The Radium Girls and The Woman They Could Not Silence“Reminds us of the state of unfreedom and constraint of women just 150 years ago, with its implicit warning not to take our rights for granted.” ―Victoria Sweet, MD, author of Slow Medicine

“The Cure for Women is both a riveting and chilling story. The history of gynecology under men is barely distinguishable from quackery, revealing rampant abuse of the female body and psyche disguised as care… As we live in a time of the increasing trivialization of the health―and pain― of women, Reeder has found a heroine for our age.” ―Catherine Prendergast, author of The Gilded Edge

“Through brilliant and creative prose, Lydia Reeder brings to life the world of Mary Putnam Jacobi and other pioneering women who fought to be treated as equals in the American medical community, in turn revealing how the sexism they faced impacted doctors and patients alike…simultaneously enraging and inspiring.” ―Catherine McNeur, author of Mischievous Creatures

“What an amazingly researched and entertaining book…I’ve always wanted to know more about [Mary Putnam Jacobi] and your book was more than I could’ve hoped for.”–Marjorie McAneny, a great-great-granddaughter of Mary Putnam Jacobi

Lydia Reeder’s research and writing brings to light the stories of little-known or forgotten pioneers in their professions and daily lives. Her first book, Dust Bowl Girls, was a Junior Library Guild Selection, a finalist for the Oklahoma Book Award and the WILLA literary Award, and won the For the Love of the Game award from the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. A regional bestseller in Oklahoma and Colorado, it was named as a 2017 top nonfiction book by Amazon, Bustle, Romper, and Bookbub, and optioned for film five times. A native of Oklahoma, Lydia now lives in Denver, CO.