Rebecca Lee Crumpler was recognized as the first African American woman to become a physician. Graduating from the New England Female Medical College in 1864, she faced significant barriers related to race and gender in her medical career. Crumpler dedicated her practice to serving underserved communities, particularly during the post-Civil War era, emphasizing the need for medical care for African Americans. Her groundbreaking achievements paved the way for future generations of minority women in medicine and highlighted the disparities in healthcare access that still resonate today.